Aiyedatiwa: I Am The Successor Akeredolu Desired From Day One

In the aftermath of his victory as Ondo State Governor-elect, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has reiterated his unwavering bond with the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, dismissing critics who question his legitimacy.

Speaking in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Monday, Aiyedatiwa described his emergence as governor as the fulfillment of a vision long held by the late Akeredolu, emphasising that his victory was in alignment with the late governor’s wishes.

Aiyedatiwa recalled the start of his political journey with Akeredolu in 2012 when the latter first received the governorship ticket. Although they lost that election, their bond as progressives remained strong.

Despite this enduring relationship, Aiyedatiwa lamented the narratives peddled by political opponents.

“I and Akeredolu have come a long way since 2012 when he was given the ticket at the time, although we lost the election but we stuck together as progressives. We have come a long way in 2016. During our inauguration, he cannot just say categorically that this is my beloved successor, please support him when the time comes. But he said it in another way that he must come down for me to go. Those are his words. It is everywhere on social media. So, we have come a long way.

So that has always been his wish for me to succeed him and those who understand the dynamics knew but because of the interest of some other political gladiators, they would have to push other narratives to de-market me and create some kind of blackmail.

“I am the successor which he actually desired from Day one and that is why I said I wish he was alive to sit behind with other colleagues that were there yesterday when I was declared the winner, that would have been great. I am proud to say that I am the face of Aketi.”

The Governor-elect also tackled criticisms regarding the election process. Observers had raised concerns about delays with BVAS accreditation in some areas. Aiyedatiwa, however, highlighted the efficiency of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in many parts of the state.

“I voted in the remotest part of the state. The BVAS at my polling unit worked seamlessly, and within two minutes, I had cast my vote,” he explained.

He also acknowledged initial delays in some locations due to network issues but emphasised that these were resolved.

Aiyedatiwa addressed questions about security votes, praising Ondo State’s reputation as one of the safest in Nigeria. While declining to disclose specifics about security funding, he stressed the importance of intelligence gathering and community engagement in maintaining peace.

“Ondo state has been adjudged to be the one of the safest and peaceful states in Nigeria even with the security agents. Intelligence gathering will tell you that we are safe here in Edo state. We are engaging our people, we talk to them, we allow them to participate, we listen to their questions and answer them and we ensure that our security architecture is funded rightly and better equipped. If you want to know how much I draw every month on security votes, that is a security matter that cannot be divulged to any of you, but there is a budget for security for the office of the governor.”

Expressing gratitude for his mandate, Aiyedatiwa lauded the people of Ondo State and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for ensuring a fair and peaceful election process.

“I am really overwhelmed with gratitude, greatly humbled and honored by that renewed mandate given to me by the people of Ondo state by coming out in their hundreds of thousands to vote for my party, the APC, and by extension for me to continue to be their governor beyond 2025 when this tenure will be ending.

“My gratitude also is extended to the president of the federal republic of Nigeria, President Tinubu for providing a level playing ground for all of us, all the political parties to campaign and contest”

Chioma Kalu

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