Ondo governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has announced that he will run for governor in the state’s November 2024 election.
In an interview with TVC News on Friday, Aiyedatiwa stated that he had no disagreements with his former principal, Rotimi Akeredolu, who died.
Aiyedatiwa was sworn in as the substantive governor of Ondo in December 2023, following the death of the previous governor, Akeredolu.
Before Akeredolu’s death, Aiyedatiwa faced an impeachment threat from the State House of Assembly while the former governor was ill.
It was rumoured that Aiyedatiwa and Akeredolu had a strained relationship, which prompted the impeachment move.
Ahead of the November governorship election, it is speculated that loyalists of the late Akeredolu will not support Aiyedatiwa in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary.
The governor will compete for the APC ticket against Senator Jimoh Ibrahim and former state finance commissioner Wale Akinterinwa.
During the interview, Aiyedatiwa was asked whether he reconciled with Akeredolu before his death.
Aiyedatiwa said:
“Let me put this straight for record sake: I never had an issue with my former principal (Akeredolu).”
“There was no time we had a face-off or an issue that would demand that I had to make up with him.
“All that was being pushed up at that time was political and falsehood insinuation because the election was coming and the governor was very sick.”
Asked if he will contest the Ondo election, Aiyedatiwa said: “Definitely, I will be running. I’m already a sitting governor. Let me say this: Nobody wants to be governor for one year.
“Give me what the constitution allows me to do. At least, let me have a chance of running for one more term.”
