“An emotional swearing-in ceremony was held at the Cocoa Conference Hall in the Governor’s Office in Akure. It was administered by the Chief Justice of the State, Justice Olusegun Odusola .
“It is with deep sadness that I accept this honorary responsibility to take charge of the reins of governance and affairs of our state following the unfortunate loss of our beloved governor and leader, my dear Principal Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu,” Aiyedatiwa said in his inaugural address as governor of Ondo State.
Aiyedatiwa was the Deputy Governor of Ondo State until Wednesday, December 13, 2023, when Akeredolu, who had been ill for months, finally handed over power to him before leaving the state for a medical vacation in Germany.
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According to a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, Akeredolu died on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, after battling prostate cancer.
The statement read: “It is with deep sadness that the Ondo State Government announces the death of our beloved Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON.
“The governor peacefully departed from this world early this morning, Wednesday, December 27, 2023. This tragedy leaves a deep void in our hearts.
“Governor Akeredolu answered the eternal call while receiving medical treatment in Germany. He succumbed to complications from prolonged prostate cancer.”
Aiyedatiwa’s journey to becoming the incumbent governor of Ondo State was not easy as Akeredolu’s allies in the Ondo State House of Assembly plotted to remove him from office of vice-governor.
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This new milestone in the political history of Ondo State will no doubt raise a lot of expectations and challenges for Aiyedatiwa. As governor, he must address the economic, social and developmental challenges facing the state, while maintaining the vision and achievements of his predecessor, Akeredolu.
Now, Akeredolu has been lauded for his efforts in the development of Ondo State, particularly in the areas of agriculture, education and infrastructure. Under his governance, the state experienced economic growth and an improvement in the quality of life of its residents.
Aiyedatiwa will also face health challenges in the state, given the tragic circumstances surrounding Akeredolu’s death. It will be essential to implement effective disease control strategies and ensure access to health care for all residents of the state.
In conclusion, the inauguration of Aiyedatiwa as governor of Ondo State marks the beginning of a new political era. It is time to face the challenges and continue working for the welfare and development of the state. The task ahead of him will not be easy, but with determination and commitment, he can continue to build on the strong foundations laid by his predecessor and bring significant improvements to the lives of the people of Ondo State.”