Lucky Aiyedatiwa has been sworn in as the governor of Ondo State, beginning his first full four-year term after stepping in as governor following the death of Rotimi Akeredolu in 2023.
The inauguration ceremony took place on Monday at the Ondo State Sports Complex in Akure, the state capital, two months after Aiyedatiwa secured victory in the governorship election under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He took the oath of office at about 12:59 pm, shortly after his deputy, Olayide Adelami, was sworn in. The governor then rode in an open van around the complex, waving to supporters who cheered in celebration.
With his inauguration, Aiyedatiwa has formally taken the reins of government for the next four years, completing the transition process in Ondo State.
His journey to securing a full term was marked by stiff competition, particularly from Agboola Ajayi, a former deputy governor who ran against him on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Aiyedatiwa’s mandate was sealed on November 16, 2024, when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him the winner of the governorship poll. The announcement was made by the Returning Officer, Olayemi Akinwumi, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State.
The APC candidate polled 366,781 votes, securing a landslide victory over Ajayi, who garnered 117,845 votes. The results showed Aiyedatiwa’s dominance, as the APC swept all 18 local government areas in the state.
