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  • Aiyedatiwa reappoints seven Akeredolu’s Commissioners

    Aiyedatiwa reappoints seven Akeredolu’s Commissioners

    Ondo Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has forwarded 12 Commissioner nominees to the Assembly for approval.

    Seven of the 12 nominees served in the administration of late former Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

    The nominees, according to a statement by Chief Press Secretary to Aiyedatiwa, Ebenezer Adeniyan, are: Pastor Segun Ayerin, Mr. Olaolu Akindolire, Alhaji Hamidu Takuro, Dr. Banji Ajaka, Mr. Boye Ologbese, Mr. Sunday Akinwalere, Deaconess Lola Fagbemi, Mr. Saka Yusuf Ogunleye, Mr. Rasheed Badmus, Mr. Olayato Aribo, Mr. Adewale Akinlosotu and Barr. Gbenga Olaniyi

    Read Also: ‘Akeredolu never endorsed any aspirant’

    A letter containing the list of the nominees to the Speaker Hon. Olamide Oladiji, urged the lawmakers to give expedited consideration to the confirmation of the nominees.

  • 13 Ondo lawmakers endorse Aiyedatiwa

    13 Ondo lawmakers endorse Aiyedatiwa

    • •Ganduje promises free, fair primaries

    The chances of Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa winning the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in next month’s shadow election got a boost yesterday, as 13 of the 22 APC members in the House of Assembly declared their support for him.

    The lawmakers led by Speaker Olamide Oladiji declared their preference for Aiyedatiwa to continue beyond 2024 as the governor.

    They made this known during their visit to the Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the party at a crucial meeting at the Muhammadu Buhari House in Abuja.

    Aiyedatiwa, former deputy governor, was sworn in on December 27, 2023 as governor, following the death of  Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

    The Speaker noted that within the short period in office, Aiyedatiwa had carried all sectors in the state along and continued with the legacies of the late Akeredolu.

    Advancing reasons for their support for the governor before the party’s highest administrative organ, the Speaker said Aiyedatiwa had prioritised payment of their salaries as and when due, recruitment of 2,000 health workers as well as cordial relationship between the legislature, judiciary and executive.

    Ganduje, who assured the lawmakers, governorship aspirants and party members of a level-playing field for next month’s primary, hailed the role they played in bringing sanity and restoring peace to the party.

    He said: “We can’t disconnect legislators from the office of the party here in Abuja because there is always a relationship between you and the office. I call upon you to cooperate with us as we conduct the primary election.

    “In this year’s election in Ondo, there are many things that must happen according to our programme, starting with verification of membership, screening of aspirants, purchase of expression of interest and nomination forms, and the primary to pick candidates.

    Read Also: No ransom paid for school children’s release – Fed Govt

    “Ondo State is an APC state and will continue to maintain it. We need your cooperation to conduct a free and transparent primary. We believe our members are equal to the task. What we are seeing here is that there will be cooperation and good synergy with state assembly members. We have planned a well-articulated programme for the primaries to produce a candidate.”

    Addressing reporters after the meeting with NWC members, the Speaker said: “We are here to tell him (Ganduje) that as far as we are concerned, those of us around among our members and those that are on their way that we are fully in support of continuity of APC-led government. We are in support of continuity. We want APC to continue with the government of Ondo State. We believe it will work out and we are giving them (NWC) 100 per cent assurance that the primaries will be peaceful.”

    Insisting that the legislators are for the governor, Oladiji said: “Let me take this opportunity to set the record straight. As far as we are concerned, we are not here to come and deceive Nigerians. His achievements, the achievements of the incumbent governor are out there. He has started the recruitment of 2,000 workers in the academic sector, and at the same time, he has worked at the ODRS and the most important thing is that he did not stop the legacy started by the late governor.

    “He directed contractors to go back to the site, which everybody in the state applauded. So what am I trying to say in essence is that as I’m talking to you now, all the contractors are now on the site working. Other projects too are ongoing in Ondo State.

  • 13 Ondo lawmakers endorse Aiyedatiwa for APC ticket

    13 Ondo lawmakers endorse Aiyedatiwa for APC ticket

    Thirteen of the 22 All Progressives Congress(APC) lawmakers in Ondo have declared support for Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to pick the party’s ticket.

    Led by Speaker Olamide Oladiji, the lawmakers declared preference for Aiyedatiwa to continue beyond 2024 as Governor during a meeting with Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the party in Abuja.

    Aiyedatiwa, who was former Deputy Governor, was sworn in on December 27, 2023 after the demise of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

    The Speaker noted that within the short period in office, Aiyedatiwa has been able to carry all the sectors in the State along, stating he also continued with the legacies of late Governor.

    Advancing reasons for their support for the Governor before the party’s highest administrative organ,  the Speaker said Aiyedatiwa has prioritised payment of salaries as at when due, recruited 2,000 health workers and ensured cordial relationship among the legislature, judiciary and the executive arms of government.

    Ganduje, who assured the lawmakers, governorship aspirants and party members of a level playing field for next month’s primary, also commended the role the lawmakers played in bringing sanity and restoring peace in the party

    According to him: “We can’t disconnect legislators from the office of the party here in Abuja because there is always a relationship between you and the office. I call upon you to cooperate with us as we conduct the primary election.

    “In this year’s election in Ondo, there are many things that must happen according to our programme starting with verification of membership, screening of aspirants, purchase of expression of interest and nomination forms, and the primaries to pick candidates.

    “Ondo state is an APC state and will continue to maintain it. We need your cooperation to conduct a free and transparent primary. We believe our members are equal to the task. What we are seeing here is that there would be cooperation and good synergy with state Assembly members. We have planned a well-articulated programme for the primaries to produce a candidate.”

    Read Also: Police arrest fake Soldier for armed robbery, extortion in Kaduna

    Addressing reporters after the meeting with NWC members the Speaker said: “We are here to tell him (Ganduje) that as far as we are concerned, those of us around amongst our members and those that are on their way that we are fully in support of continuity of APC-led government. We are in support of continuity.

    “We want APC to continue with the governments of Ondo State. We believe it will work out and we are giving them (NWC)100 per cent assurance that the primary elections will be peaceful. Inshallah.”

    On the allegation of betraying the family of the late Akeredolu, the Speaker said: “As far as I’m concerned, I don’t want to join issues with all the aspirants, I’m not an aspirant. I’m a legislator but as far as I’m concerned, the issue of betrayal does not come in. We lost the late Governor to death. The constitution is very clear that when a sitting Governor dies, you know, the deputy governor will have to take over.

    “So I do believe that the issue of betrayal does not come into this issue. it’s just an issue of nature. None of us can predict when God will take our life. And as far as the aspirants are concerned, my advice as Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly is that we should not hit the polity. You should try as much as possible to play politics with all decorum in such a way that we don’t have any other State to go to.

    “We should try as much as possible to maintain decency while we are campaigning, It’s within the party it’s within our party. We must not allow another political party to snatch this power from us.”

  • Ondo APC primary: Deputy gov collapses political structure for Aiyedatiwa

    Ondo APC primary: Deputy gov collapses political structure for Aiyedatiwa

    Deputy Governor of Ondo state, Olayide Adelami, has collapsed his political structure, the Adelami Political Movement (APM) for Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa ahead of next month’s primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The group was transformed into Aiyedatiwa/Adelami grassroots mobilisers.

    Adelami, had in 2020, contested the APC governorship primary.

    Director General of the defunct APM, Segun Ogodo, said the decision to collapse the structure for Aiyedatiwa was borne out of the conviction that only Governor Aiyedatiwa could take the state to the next level.

    Ogodo described Adelami as a true party man who contributed immensely to the success of APC in the 2020 governorship election in Ondo state.

    He said: “Dr Adelami went out of his way to donate massively to the campaign of Arakunrin Akeredolu in 2020 and that was part of the things that gave us results. After the election, he kept sustaining us across the 18 local government areas to date.

    Read Also: Aiyedatiwa approves N200m loan for artisans in Ondo

    “The structure has remained vibrant and solid for grassroots political mobilisation since then. We can boast of over 8,000 APC registered members across the state who are ready to work for the return of Aiyedatiwa as governor of Ondo state.”

    Adelami thanked members of the group for their loyalty and support throughout the struggle in the 2020 governorship election

    He said: “It gladdens my heart that I urged you all to work relentlessly for the governor to emerge victorious in the coming election. Let us be united and put in every effort to make the Aiyedatiwa project a success.”

  • Adefisoye rallies Idanre leaders to support Aiyedatiwa

    Adefisoye rallies Idanre leaders to support Aiyedatiwa

    Chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ondo state, Tajudeen Adefisoye, has called on all political leaders in the Idanre local government area to give their support to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa ahead of the party’s primary election slated for next month.

    The former federal lawmaker, who is popularly known as Small Alhaji, canvassed his position after meeting with some national leaders of the APC in Abuja on Wednesday.

    He was upbeat after the meeting that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa would secure the governorship ticket of APC come April 25.

    Adefisoye further said that required efforts had been made to ensure the victory of Aiyedatiwa in the APC governorship primary election.

    He further added that the governor’s evidence of performance is glaring while his popularity across Ondo state has equally become overwhelming.

    Read Also: Ondo 2024: Ilutitun APC youths deny Aiyedatiwa’s endorsement

    He said: “My meeting today with notable national leaders of our great party, APC has further reinforced my belief that Governor Aiyedatiwa will secure the party’s governorship ticket come next month.

    “It is a common knowledge that every serious political party is naturally expected to give its governorship ticket to a performing and popular incumbent governor. The case of Ondo State can’t be different and I am sure of this.”

    He emphasized the need for all APC leaders in Idanre to realize that the victory of Aiyedatiwa in the primary election is already certain.

    He added that his focus was to get genuinely committed political leaders in Idanre to the winning camp of Governor Aiyedatiwa.

    “Our focus now in Idanre is to get APC leaders and other political leaders that are genuinely committed to the project of Governor Aiyedatiwa to our side. We have done a lot in this regard and we have also identified a few leaders that are already neck-deep in the governorship projects of other aspirants.

    “We also plan to hold a ground-shaking stakeholders meeting in Idanre anytime soon. But I am very confident that Governor Aiyedatiwa will definitely get the gubernatorial ticket of APC,” assured Adefisoye.

  • Aiyedatiwa approves N200m loan for artisans in Ondo

    Aiyedatiwa approves N200m loan for artisans in Ondo

    Ondo state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has approved a N200m loan for artisans in the state under the auspices of Ondo State United Artisans Group.

    Governor Aiyedatiwa also appointed the president of the artisan group, Daisi Komolafe, as senior special assistant on artisan matters.

    Aiyedatiwa approved the loan when the artisans visited him to declare support for his continuation in office.

    The governor said the N200m would be distributed as soft loans to traders, artisans, and small-scale businesses in the state.

    He urged the new SSA on Artisan Matters to liaise with the management of the State Microcredit Agency to ensure that artisans received the necessary support to thrive and contribute to the state’s economic growth.

    Aiyedatiwa thanked the artisans for the endorsement and reiterated his determination to foster inclusive governance in the state.

    Komolafe praised the governor’s transformative agenda and expressed the artisans’ collective satisfaction with his administration and support for his election.

    Read Also: Ileoluji-Okeigbo applauds Aiyedatiwa on road, pledges massive votes

    He said: “The governor did not coerce us to attend today’s gathering, we came willingly on our own accord. Some of our members couldn’t join us due to ongoing observance of the Muslim fast and other personal challenges.

    “As artisans, we have never convened in such numbers before; this marks a historic first, and it is in honour of Your Excellency. We express our satisfaction with your administration.

    “Artisans constitute a significant portion of the electorate in Ondo State, comprising 64% of voters and we unequivocally pledge our support to you. We believe in your vision, and we are eager to work alongside you.”

  • Ondo diaspora community endorses Aiyedatiwa for governorship poll

    Ondo diaspora community endorses Aiyedatiwa for governorship poll

    Ondo State indigenes in diaspora have endorsed Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    They made their intention known yesterday during a virtual interview session with reporters and the former commissioner for Regional Integration and Diaspora Relations/ convener, Prince Boye Ologbese.

    He said Ondo State is blessed with huge mineral deposits, rich forest resources and favourable climatic conditions suitable for investment opportunities, increased partnerships and economic expansion.

    Read Also: Ileoluji-Okeigbo applauds Aiyedatiwa on road, pledges massive votes

    “The security network in the state has gradually become formidable. This aspect plays a crucial role for our diaspora, knowing that they can operate their businesses with ease,” Ologbese said.

    The diaspora representative, Dr. Bashir Obasekola, continental chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe, Russia, said there was no turning back at rendering massive support for the governor due to the trust he reposed in them as a capable leader, even as it was evident in his efforts to carry on the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s legacy for the benefit of the citizens.

    He said part of the reasons for showing support and throwing massive weight behind Aiyedatiwa was because he was part of the already existing system and the time was crucial for strategic decision making, “as the elections are fast approaching.”

    Obasekola added: “Irrespective of our location, we take to cognisance our homeland and any issue that affects our dear state affects us as a whole. We believe Ondo State is on a destination to progress with the right man to pilot its affairs towards continued peace and development.”

  • Ileoluji-Okeigbo applauds Aiyedatiwa on road, pledges massive votes

    Ileoluji-Okeigbo applauds Aiyedatiwa on road, pledges massive votes

    All Progressives Congress (APC) members in Ileoluji-Okeigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State at the weekend assured Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of massive votes in the coming primary elections of the party, describing his intervention in the dilapidated state of roads in the area as awesome.

    The party loyalists spoke in turn at Ile-Oluji, the council secretariat during the inauguration of local government, ward, and unit executive councils, as well as streets’ captains, executive members of Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation Foot Soldiers (LACO-FS).

    Capturing the mood of party loyalists on the occasion,  the LACO-FS Director-General for Ileoluji-Okeigbo Council, Akinrinsola Odunayo, also known as KABONTI, assured Aiyedatiwa of overwhelming votes from registered party members, during the April primaries.

    Read Also: NLC, Obi’s supporters demand Abure’s sack over LP’s proposed ‘secret’ convention

    “We are all enthused by the sterling performance of Mr. Governor in less than four months of assuming office, as we can all confirm that he cherishes even the distribution of development programmes to better the lives of the rural dwellers.

    “You can all see contractors on site at the Ile Oluji/Okeigbo inter-community roads which had been previously abandoned; as the governor, upon assuming office and without any pressure from anywhere, mobilised the contractors back to the site and work on the road has reached an advanced stage,” KABONTI applauded.

    Speaking in the same vein, the LACO-FS Director on Inter-governmental Affairs,  Hon Bimbo Fajolu, commended the governor for operating an open-door policy, allowing communities to approach him directly regarding their needs, even as he expressed optimism that the coast was clear for the governor to pick the party ticket.

  • ‘Ondo to recruit 2000 teachers’

    ‘Ondo to recruit 2000 teachers’

    Ondo State Government has approved the recruitment of 2000 teachers into the state civil service as part of its efforts to reposition the education sector.

    The state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, made this known on Friday at the inauguration of late Rosa Jane Pelly legacy project at Fiwasaye Girls’ Grammar School, Akure.

    Aiyedatiwa, who was represented by his Deputy, Mr Olayide Adelami, said his administration would continue to prioritise education.

    “I am glad to say that the state government’s huge investment in the education sector is yielding positive results as our students are doing well on all fronts.

    “It is a known fact that Ondo State is now a force to reckon with in the education sector, both nationally and internationally.

    Read Also: Aiyedatiwa mourns late Olubadan

    “We have recently approved the recruitment of 2000 teachers into both our primary and secondary schools.

    “This is to inject new blood into our schools.

    “Recently, the state government approved N550 million registration of students in the state-owned secondary schools for the 2024 WAEC examination,” he said.

    He lauded the commitment of Miss Jane Pelly, who served as the pioneer principal of Fiwasaye Girls’ Grammar School between 1960 and 1973, calling on good spirited Nigerians to partner the state in achieving its educational goals.

    In her opening remarks, the Principal of Fiwasaye Girls’ Grammar School Akure, Mrs Temitope Ojoge, commended the state government and the donor for their immense contributions to the development of education in the state.

    She said the building did not only symbolise progress and growth but also embodied the spirit of resilience and determination that defined the school community.

    (NAN)

  • Aiyedatiwa mourns late Olubadan

    Aiyedatiwa mourns late Olubadan

    Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has described the late Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, as a silent achiever and lover of peace.

    Governor Aiyedatiwa in a condolence message commiserated with the Government of Oyo State and Governor Seyi Makinde on the death of the Ibadan monarch.

    Read Also: Olubadan: I lost a father, Adeolu Akande mourns

    The governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, said the passing of Ọba Balogun after two years on the throne was a monumental loss that could only be imagined,

    He said: “Within a short period of time Oba Balogun ensured communal peace and stability while deploying his rich experience in the traditional leadership of Ibadan.

    He prayed God to give the Oyo State government the wisdom to fill the vacuum the late monarch has left behind.