Ondo State: President Tinubu Meets with New Governor

Temitope Mustapha, Abuja.

Last updated Dec 29, 2023

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has met with the newly sworn-in governor of Ondo State, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, in Lagos State, encouraging him to take charge and mobilize the people to move the state forward.

Aiyedatiwa had been the deputy governor until Wednesday, December 27, 2023, when the State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu passed.

Governor Aiyedatiwa was sworn in as governor after the demise of his predecessor, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, on Wednesday.

Purpose of Visit

Governor Aiyedatiwa, who spoke to journalists after meeting with President Tinubu in his Lagos residence, also said he used the opportunity to update him on recent developments in the state.

“I’m here to see Mr President, to further brief him on the events that happened in our state: the loss of our governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, and to also let him know that I have just been sworn in, because there can never be a vacuum.

Aiyedatiwa also appreciated the president for standing by the people of Ondo State during their critical moment.

“Ondo State was practically in the news almost everyday in the last six months, but all that has been put to rest now, and he stood by us as the president of the country.

So, I’m here to just thank him for being a father figure to the state — all his advice and the development,” he said.

A Mixed Feeling

Aiyedatiwa described his meeting with President Tinubu as a mixed feeling.

“It was a paradox, a mixed feeling. He commiserated with me, even though he put a call through yesterday to condole with us in Ondo State through me. He still did the same today and also wished me well. He said that there can never be a vacuum: one era ends, another one begins, but still within the same administration.

That’s the first time such a thing will be happening in Ondo State: to have a transition within an administration due to the demise of the governor.

So, it’s basically to advise and also encourage me to take charge and mobilize everybody to work together and see how we can move the state forward,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, who was also a guest of President Tinubu on Thursday, said he visited to commiserate with the president and update him on developments in his own state.