Governor Aiyedatiwa Declares Intention To Contest APC Primary Election In April

By Joseph Sunday

Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has officially declared his intention to contest the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the forthcoming Primary Election scheduled to take place in the month of April, 2024. 

Advertisement

Declaring his decision to contest his party’s ticket on Tuesday in Akure, the Ondo State Capital, Governor Aiyedatiwa officially expressed his interest and intention to seek the nomination of the All Progressives Congress platform to contest for the office of the Governor of Ondo State.  

According to him, “he said offered to present himself to the popular yearnings and wide consultations of the people of Ondo State, not just to run the race, but to be the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the 2024 gubernatorial election.

“As I begin today this journey to secure, next month, our party’s ticket for the November Governorship Election, I ask you to support me and let us build an APC that respects and promotes members, an APC that cares. Support me to build an Ondo State that works.”

Addressing a crowd of party faithfuls, stakeholders and citizens, Governor Aiyedatiwa hailed the occasion as another milestone in the democratic journey of Ondo State, emphasizing the importance of consolidating governance and celebrating the vibrancy of democracy under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC.

Advertisement

Acknowledging the unwavering support of party members, the Governor expressed gratitude for their commitment to the progress of Ondo State.  

Recounting the achievements of his administration, Governor Aiyedatiwa highlighted the strides made in infrastructure, education, healthcare, industrialization, security, and workers welfare, promising to build on the foundation already laid.

He paid tribute to the late former Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON, whose vision and partnership laid the foundation for the state’s development.

“He chose me as the deputy governorship candidate to contest the 2020 governorship election, and we won. We won because he was a good man, loved and respected by the people. His yes was his yes, his no was his no. He did not pretend nor played to the gallery. He did not like hypocrisy, sycophancy and backbiting.

“He stood for merit and candour. He loved the State and its people. He picked me as Deputy Governor not just because he loved me but because he had a vision for the young to grow. He wanted integrity, humility, confidence and loyalty to be the character of government. He made no pretence of his plan and desire for succession.

“He was deliberate and prophetic. He said it during our inauguration and repeatedly that “Lucky will succeed me. Lucky will carry on the work after me”. At not one, not two nor three sessions of the Cabinet meetings had he pronounced Lucky as his desired choice to carry the flag after him.

Advertisement

“He was a man of vision. We will not let him down. We will not waiver. We will not falter. We will succeed. Support me to carry on the work. Work with me to bring the desired goal”, the Governor said.

Recounting the administration’s initiatives aimed at improving the lives of citizens, Governor Aiyedatiwa highlighted measures such as salary arrears payment, healthcare workforce expansion, infrastructure development projects, and support for education and agriculture sectors.

Highlighting his vision for Ondo State, Governor Aiyedatiwa outlined a comprehensive development agenda aimed at addressing key issues such as poverty alleviation, economic growth, healthcare improvement, infrastructure development, and education enhancement. He emphasized the importance of sustainable governance and vowed to respect the people’s aspirations for continued progress

Advertisement

Those present at his formal declaration ceremony includes the Secretary to the State Government, Honourable Tayo Oluwatuyi; Honourable Olamide Oladiji, the Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly; Chief Olushola Iji, the former Ambassador to the Republic of Togo; Professor Robert Ajayi Boroface, the former Deputy Senate Leader; Chief Jamiu Ekungba, Acting Chairman of the APC Elders Caucus in Ondo State; Chief Segun Ojo as well as another Elder, Baba Fapohunda. 

Advertisement