Ondo awaits new governance period as Aiyedatiwa begins contemporary mandate

As Governor Fortunate Aiyedatiwa takes the oath of workplace for his first full time period, Ondo State enters a brand new political chapter crammed with each excessive expectations and significant challenges, writes PETER DADA

Monday, February 24, 2025, marks one other historic day in Ondo State as Governor Fortunate Aiyedatiwa is sworn in for a second time period. Earlier than this, Aiyedatiwa, a former deputy governor to the late Rotimi Akeredolu, overcame quite a few hurdles to achieve the state’s highest workplace. He confronted fierce political battles whereas his former boss was overseas for medical remedy, with some authorities cabal opposing his appointment as appearing governor. Nonetheless, by windfall, he first turned the appearing governor and later the substantive governor. Notably, Aiyedatiwa was sworn in as governor on December 27, 2024, following Akeredolu’s demise in Germany.

After changing into governor, Aiyedatiwa confronted one other spherical of challenges in securing the All Progressives Congress governorship ticket to contest the November 16, 2024, election amid sturdy opposition from 15 different political events. Nonetheless, he was declared the winner by the Impartial Nationwide Electoral Fee, having achieved an unprecedented victory in all 18 native authorities areas of the state. Aiyedatiwa received with over 366,000 votes, defeating his fundamental rival and former deputy governor Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party who got here second with 117,000 votes.

Because the journey of one other 4 years on the helm of the Sunshine State begins on Monday, many count on a greater and extra affluent Ondo State below Aiyedatiwa’s administration. Vital sectors the place excessive expectations lie embrace safety, agriculture, well being, youth employment, schooling, and infrastructure.

Since 1999, when democracy was restored in Nigeria, each governor who has led Ondo State has had at the least one notable achievement for which they’re nonetheless remembered. The late Chief Adebayo Adefarati, an educationist, served as governor below the Alliance for Democracy from 1999 to 2003. His administration is remembered for its excellent efficiency within the well being and schooling sectors. His successor, the late Dr Olusegun Agagu, a geologist, ruled the state from 2003 to 2009 below the Peoples Democratic Party. His administration was extensively praised for its outstanding contributions to the state’s infrastructural improvement.

Dr Olusegun Mimiko succeeded Agagu and stays the one governor within the state’s political historical past to have accomplished two full phrases. He started his tenure as a member of the Labour Party and later transitioned to the Peoples Democratic Party. His administration was extensively recognised and praised for implementing distinct and impactful well being programmes. The previous governor obtained quite a few accolades for his achievements within the well being sector.

The instant previous administration of the late Akeredolu left a long-lasting impression on the residents, significantly for its give attention to safety. Akeredolu, in collaboration with different South-West governors, performed a pivotal position in establishing the Southwest Safety Community Company, generally known as Amotekun, throughout the area. He ensured that the company in Ondo State was well-funded and geared up to guard the lives of its residents.

Aiyedatiwa can be sworn in because the seventh govt governor of the Sunshine State on Monday, marking the start of a brand new four-year time period. The folks of the state eagerly anticipate his management, questioning which sector he’ll prioritise for excellent efficiency, as his predecessors did, amid the numerous challenges dealing with the state.

Constitutionally, he has just one time period to serve, permitting him to both depart a long-lasting legacy or fall quick within the annals of the state’s historical past. Throughout his marketing campaign forward of final yr’s governorship election, he made a number of promising pledges which have already raised public expectations. He vowed to enhance the lives of the folks and full all unfinished initiatives from his administration and that of his predecessor.

One might recall that in one of many campaigns, Aiyedatiwa mentioned, “Little doubt, we’ve initiated many initiatives, and we are going to do extra. Our roads, colleges, and hospitals are receiving consideration. We’ve got additionally ensured safety within the state. We’re additionally using extra academics in colleges. I need to guarantee you that nothing will distract our administration from giving our folks the perfect to enhance the standard of their lives. Our administration will proceed to prioritise healthcare and infrastructure improvement if we’re elected.”

He added, “We recognise the significance of safety, and that’s the reason we’ve continued to equip our safety outfits with operational automobiles, particularly the Amotekun Corps. We’re working intently with different safety businesses to make sure the security of our folks and shield livelihoods throughout the state. We perceive the importance of excellent roads for commerce and motion. The Isua street will obtain consideration quickly, and we’re dedicated to upgrading healthcare providers to offer higher look after the folks of the native authorities.”

Nonetheless, members of the opposition events are pessimistic concerning the incoming administration, believing it will likely be much more sluggish than the earlier one, as they don’t see Aiyedatiwa as a governor with something important to supply the state.

The PDP within the state argued that Aiyedatiwa doesn’t perceive the enterprise of governance. The social gathering’s Publicity Secretary, Mr Kennedy Peretei, emphasised that Aiyedatiwa had been clueless throughout his one yr within the Alagbaka Authorities Home, alleging that he failed to finish initiatives initiated by the Akeredolu administration and didn’t make any significant impression on the state. To the PDP, the subsequent 4 years could be one other interval of wasted alternatives for the folks.

“There’s nothing extra to count on from the ‘standstill’ authorities of Fortunate Aiyedatiwa, having failed tragically to show to the folks of Ondo that he can ship the dividends of democracy within the final yr. Nonetheless, we want to remind the governor that the persons are affected by his lacklustre efficiency. The hospitals are in dire want of personnel and gear. The colleges lack academics and educating aids. All of the street initiatives began by his former boss, Akeredolu, have been deserted. Let him pray that his case doesn’t find yourself like that of a snake passing over a rock with out leaving a hint,” Peretei criticised.

Equally, the state chapter of the Social Democratic Party was additionally important of the incoming administration. Its state chairman, Mr Gbenga Akinbuli, said that nothing higher needs to be anticipated from Aiyedatiwa’s authorities. He added that the election outcomes had been already being challenged in court docket, expressing optimism about securing a beneficial judgment.

He mentioned, “Initially, we don’t imagine he has a authorities as a result of I imagine he received the federal government by crooked means. It’s like placing one thing on nothing—it might probably’t stand. However then, he’s going to be sworn in, and that’s a actuality no one can contest. We want him the perfect and hope that within the little time he can be there earlier than we take over energy, he does the needful. We don’t imagine he’s the governor but as a result of he received there by the again door. So we’re going to use the court docket to chase him out. I imagine that.”

Then again, the Director of Media and Publicity of the All Progressives Congress, Mr Steve Otaloro, dismissed the opposition’s claims, stating that Aiyedatiwa’s victory within the final election was not a fluke however a mirrored image of the folks’s love for him. He additionally expressed confidence that the governor would carry out higher in key sectors over the subsequent 4 years.

“As we put together for Governor Aiyedatiwa’s inauguration, it’s disappointing to see persistent negativity and baseless claims from opposition events which have didn’t resonate with the folks of Ondo State. The governor’s decisive victory within the final election demonstrates the belief and confidence the folks have in his management. This landslide win displays the collective need for progress, improvement, and good governance that the APC has championed.

“Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration is dedicated to constructing on the stable basis laid by his predecessor, guided by ideas of transparency, accountability, and inclusivity. We urge the general public to give attention to the quite a few achievements of the APC management in Ondo State, together with infrastructure improvement, schooling reform, healthcare enchancment, and agricultural improvement.

“Moreover, the administration has applied numerous safety initiatives, together with Amotekun safety measures and collaborations with native and federal safety businesses, to make sure a peaceable atmosphere for all. We additionally recognise the significance of youth empowerment, with programmes aimed toward offering abilities coaching, entrepreneurship alternatives, and assist for startups. As we transfer ahead, we urge the opposition to give attention to constructive criticism and collaboration relatively than unfounded negativity. The folks of Ondo State have excessive expectations, and we’re dedicated to assembly and exceeding them by diligent service and revolutionary governance.”

A public affairs analyst, Dr Gbenga Abimbola, additionally weighed in, stating that Governor Aiyedatiwa has lots of work to do within the state and should not have any excuse for non-performance, on condition that he was a part of Akeredolu’s administration.

“I count on him, having been a part of the outgoing administration as deputy governor and later governor for over a yr, to finish the continuing initiatives. Many of those initiatives have been barely uncared for and are now not energetic. He ought to mobilise contractors again to the websites and be certain that these initiatives are accomplished as a result of he was a part of that authorities, and he’s now the governor ending that time period.

“I additionally count on him to prioritise schooling. Training is vital. Although the federal government has made efforts to fund tertiary establishments, universities alone can’t resolve our issues. We have to spend money on main, secondary, and technical schooling. Though there are technical faculties scattered throughout the state, they’re nearly defunct. He ought to prioritise and fund them, equipping them with supplies, gear, and academics to provide middle-level manpower within the state.

“The governor should additionally recognise that no matter he does will go down in historical past. He ought to play much less politics. Given the present regulation, many count on that he’ll serve just one time period, which means he would have spent about 5 years in workplace. By then, he can be finishing his tenure, so he ought to give attention to improvement – each human and infrastructural. Rural areas are craving for improvement.

“In Ondo State, like in lots of elements of the nation, starvation is a serious concern, so we have to spend money on agriculture. The governor should prioritise that. Lastly, he ought to fortify the Amotekun Corps as a result of that was the legacy of his predecessor. He should strengthen and correctly equip the corps to deal with kidnapping, abduction, and insecurity. The Nigerian Police and federal safety businesses alone can’t deal with these challenges, which is why Amotekun was created. He should guarantee it has satisfactory manpower and gear to perform successfully.”