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Tag: Lucky Aiyedatiwa

  • Ondo APC primary: Aiyedatiwa reacts as appeal committee receives more petitions

    Ondo APC primary: Aiyedatiwa reacts as appeal committee receives more petitions

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) Appeals Committee on the governorship primary election held on Saturday in Ondo State has received two additional petitions, bringing to five the number.

    This is contained in a statement issued by the Secretary of the Committee, Mr Obiocha Isreal, made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Akure.

    It said that the fresh petitions were received from Sen. Jimoh Ibrahim and Mrs Folakemi Omogoroye.

    Messrs Wale Akinteriwa, Gbenga Edema and  Jimi Odimayo, who contested in the Saturday primary election had earlier on Monday filed petitions over the conduct and result of the  election.

    Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who became governor following the death of the late Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu, was declared winner of the election by the Gov. Usman Ododo led APC primary election committee.

    Other many of aspirants including the petitioners, however, decried the conduct of the election alleging that no elections were held in many wards in the 18 local government area of the state.

    Isreal said that the two aspirants alleged that the just concluded primary was marred with irregularities and fell short of appreciable standard.

    He said “Ibrahim and Omogoroye described the process as an anticlimax, a mockery of democracy and complete negation of every known democratic norm.”

    Isreal said further that Omogoroye asked  for the cancellation of the election and urged  the committee chairman to order for another election.

    Ibrahim, the appeals committer chairman said, asked for cancellation of the election on four grounds, which included: non-compliance with the rules, non provision of electoral materials, non accreditation of agents and gross misconduct.

    “I paid the sum of N100 million  for the validation of over 40 thousand party members and those members were not allowed to be revalidated across Ondo State.

    “This was because no voters register was made available in the wards to which members could be validated

    “On ground two -on provision of electoral materials -.No electoral materials were provided for the conduct of the election.

    “The local government electoral officials were kept in the hotel during the period of the election for several hours and only result sheets were given to them.

    “My agents were not accredited in all the wards, and they did not sign election result sheet since none was made available to them,” Ibrahim was quoted to have said in his petition.

    Ondo APC primary: We are all winners, Aiyedatiwa to 15 other aspirants

    Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, who also doubles as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress(APC), on Tuesday said that all the aspirants under the party are all winners.

    Aiyedatiwa stated this during a thank-you visit tour to the state party secretariat in Akure.

    The governor said that the number and quality of aspirants that contested under the ruling party showed the quality of people in the party.

    He said he was at the party secretariat to also appreciate the party leadership for taking good care of those who came to conduct the election from Abuja thereby creating an enabling environment for the primary to be held.

    “The conduct of the primary election has come and gone, all 16 aspirants are all winners. We are all winners for our party, but we were able to have the flag bearer and I have been chosen to have been unanimously elected as candidate of our party.

    “We are here to thank the party because, without the party, we can’t run for office. I also thank all the state working committee for their support.

    “We must ensure that all the other 15 aspirants must come together to ensure we win the Nov. 16 election, so we can put our house in order before going to the main contest,” he said.

    Earlier, the Party Chairman in the State, Mr Ade Adetimehin, said he saw Saturday’s primary election as a family affair and ensured that the party continued to remain in power more than 2025.

    Adetimehin said the work that remained now was that of the entire APC members and leadership.

    “The load is now for the entire APC members and I can assure you this state is always a progressive state, come November 16 by the grace of God, we will win the election,” he said.

  • Ondo APC primary: Aiyedatiwa reacts after clinching guber ticket

    Ondo APC primary: Aiyedatiwa reacts after clinching guber ticket

    Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State on Monday appreciated President Bola Tinubu for allowing enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the Saturday’s governorship primary in the state.

    Aiyedatiwa stated this in his acceptance speech after his emergency as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Nov. 16 governorship election in the state.

    Usman Ododo, the Chairman of the Governorship Primary Election Committee for Ondo State and Governor of Kogi, had on Monday declared Aiyedatiwa as the winner of the Saturday’s primary.

    Ododo said that Aiyedatiwa polled 48,569 votes to defeat his closest rival, Mr Mayowa Akinfolarin, who had 15,343 out of 95,178 valid votes.

    Aiyedatiwa also appreciated the national and state working committee of the party for ensuring that the “best candidate emerged” as the party’s standard bearer.

    He also commended other contestants for their sportsmanship and urged them to join hands with him to ensure the party’s victory in the November election.

    “Democracy sometimes comes with discordant tunes. This is not the time to hold grudge against one another, but for all of us to come together so as to remain in power,” he said.

    Ondo APC primary is sheer show of shame – Akinterinwa

    Meanwhile, the Wale Akinterinwa Campaign Organisation has described the governorship primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state on Saturday as a show of shame.

    Mr Wale Akinterinwa, a former Commissioner in the government of the late Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu, is one of the 16 aspirants seeking the party’s ticket to contest the Nov. 16 governorship election.

    The Spokesperson of the organisation, Mr Segun Ajiboye, in a statement on Sunday in Akure, said that no election was held in the state by the Gov. Usman Ododo-led primary election committee.

    “Without any fear of contradiction, we state here that no election was held in any part of Ondo State on Saturday to elect the candidate of the APC.

    “It is on record with incontrovertible evidence that nothing in the semblance of a primary election was held in all the 203 wards in Ondo State.

    “At best, what can be said to have happened was that the committee chairman, Gov. Ododo, arrived in the state at about 8 am on Saturday to write the result of an election that was never conducted.

    “Saturday’s election presented our dear party with a rare opportunity to endear itself to the people of the state.

    “All that was needed was for us to organise an election that would be hailed by all, even the opposition.

    “But we bungled the opportunity with the sham organised by the electoral committee,” he stated.

    Ajiboye explained that the committee’s assurance to conduct a free and fair primary election was dashed and not fulfilled.

    “It was not surprising that what Gov. Ododo did on Saturday was far distant from what was promised.

    “However, what was surprising was the audacity and the indecent manner the election committee actualised its plot, which was scripted and directed to favour a particular candidate,” he stated.

    According to him, never before in the history of the APC has it witnessed anything close to what was put on display on Saturday.

    “The supportive and hardworking members of the APC were robbed and made to understand or believe that their votes do not count,” Ajiboye said.

    He, however, commended the resilience and perseverance of the  supporters of Akinternwa across the 203 electoral wards in the state, assuring them that their efforts were noted.

    “We, therefore, most respectfully appeal to all our supporters to remain calm and peaceful, law-abiding, and conduct themselves most responsibly while we explore legal and democratic ways to register our grievances.

    “We assure you that our principal, Wale Akinterinwa remains absolutely undaunted and deeply committed to the tenets of democracy.

    “Let the world know that this is not about Wale Akinterinwa. It is our contribution to deepen democracy and for a better life for our people.

    “It is about the future of our state,” the organisation’s spokesman said.

  • Ondo APC guber primary: Amid protest, Ododo announces Aiyedatiwa winner

    Ondo APC guber primary: Amid protest, Ododo announces Aiyedatiwa winner

    Amidst protest over the conduct of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primay election in Ondo State, Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa was early on Monday morning declared winner.

    The Chairman of the party’s Primary Election Committee for Ondo State and Governor of Kogi,  Usman Ododo said that Aiyedatiwa having satisfied the requirement of the law and scored the highest vote was the winner.

    171,922 members of the party were revalidated to vote in 203 wards in the 18 local government areas of the state.

    Ododo said that Aiyedatiwa polled  48,569 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Mr Mayowa Akinfolarin, who had 15,343 out of 95,178 valid votes counted.

    Mr Olusola Oke, SAN, was placed  third with 14,195 votes.

    According to the chairman of the election committee, Aiyedatiwa won in 16 out of the 18 local government areas of the state while Oke won in one.

    He said that there was no voting in Ifedore Local Government Area as a result of widespread violence and threat to life.

    Ododo appreciated all party members who participated  in the exercise for their courage and perseverance, describing the primary election as peaceful.

    He said that the real work had just begun, adding that the aspirants and their supporters should not allow the results of the primary election to divide them.

    According to him, there is no reason to abandon the party.

    The chairman asked the party members to be in unity in order to come out more united and stronger in the subsequent political contests.

    The party adopted the direct mode for the conduct of the primary which held on Saturday.

    However, due to some irregularities a rerun was ordered on Sunday in the 13 wards in Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state.

    Earlier, some of the aspirants criticized the conduct of the primary election alleging violence and none arrival of materials and officials in some wards.

    There was also a protest on Sunday by supporters of some of the aspirants at the APC secretariat in Akure, who called for the cancellation of the exercise.

    Other aspirants that participated in the primary are: Mr Isaac Kekemeke, Mr Olusoji Ehinlanwo, Mr Olugbenga Edema , Sen. Jimoh Ibrahim, Mr Diran Iyantan; Prof. Dayo Faduyile, Mr Ifeoluwa Oyedele.

    Others are Mrs Funmilayo Waheed-Adekojo, Mr Adewale Akinterinwa; Mr Olusola Oke, Mr  Ohunyeye Felix; Mr Morayo Lebi, Mrs Judith Omogoroye and Mr Jimi Odimayo.

    See results of Ondo APC governorship primary election below:

    1. Lucky Aiyedatiwa: 48,569
    2. Wale Akinterinwa: 1,952
    3. ⁠Olusola Oke: 14,915
    4. ⁠Mayowa Akinfolarin: 15,343
    5. ⁠Jimoh Ibrahim: 9,456
    6. ⁠Isaacs Kekemeke: 1,045
    7. ⁠Gbenga Edema: 395
    8. ⁠Ohunyeye Olamide Felix: 424
    9. Jimi Odimayo: 490
    10. ⁠Olusoji Adewale Ehinlanwo: 492
    11. ⁠Morayo Lebi: 290
    12. ⁠Diran Iyantan: 348
    13. ⁠Francis Faduyile: 353
    14. ⁠Ifeoluwa Oyedele: 462
    15. ⁠Funmilayo Adekojo: 529
    16. ⁠Funke Omogoroye Judith: 115
    • Total registered voters: 171,922
    • Total accredited voters: 95,178
    • Total valid votes: 95,178
    • Number of LGAs: 18

    Note: while Aiyedatiwa won in 16 LGAs, Olusola Oke won 1 LGA. The election was cancelled in Ifedore LGA.

  • Gov Aiyedatiwa solicits votes ahead of APC primaries

    Gov Aiyedatiwa solicits votes ahead of APC primaries

    Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has solicited the votes of party members ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election in the state on April 20.

    Aiyedatiwa is seeking to become the APC candidate out of the 16 aspirants jostling to be the party’s flag bearer in the Nov. 16 governorship election.

    Speaking at the palace of Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo, on Saturday, the governor said he was at the palace to appreciate the traditional ruler for his support so far.

    At the venue of a meeting with party members in Ondo town, Aiyedatiwa said that their support should be translated to votes at the primary to ensure his victory.

    In Ileoluji/Okeigbo Local Government, Aiyedatiwa urged the people to vote for him

    He expressed happiness at the creation of Okeigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), stressing that the LCDA has come to stay.

    The Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo appreciated Gov. Aiyedatiwa for the support given to the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo, especially the recent announcement of N1 billion for construction of the institution’s senate building.

    Also speaking, House of Representative member representing Ondo East and Ondo West, Mr Abiola Makinde, said Ondo was already ‘Lucky’ and set for the election of Aiyedatiwa to emerge as the the party’s standard bearer.

    Earlier, the governor had visited Ifedore local government.

  • Aiyedatiwa inaugurates 12 new commissioners

    Aiyedatiwa inaugurates 12 new commissioners

    Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, on Friday in Akure inaugurated 12 newly-appointed commissioners.

    The State House of Assembly had recently confirmed the appointment of the 12 commissioners.

    The newly-inaugurated commissioners incluse Pastor Segun Ayerin, Mr Olaolu Akindolire, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, Dr Banji Ajaka, Mr Boye Ologbese, Mr Sunday Akinwalire, Deaconess Lola Fagbemi and Mr Saka Yusuf Ogunleye.

    Others are Mr Rasheed Badmus, Mr Olayato Aribo, Mr Adewale Akinlosotu and Barr Gbenga Olaniyi.

    Aiyedatiwa urged them to justify their appointments through dedicated service, emphasising the administration’s commitment to accelerated development and good governance.

    The governor, while welcoming the newly-inaugurated commissioners, urged them to contribute significantly to the state’s development agenda.

    “Let me congratulate the appointees for being worthy of consideration as Honourable Commissioners in Ondo State.

    “Some of you are returning, while others are new Commissioners. In the main, you have a duty to justify your appointment or reappointment as the case may be.

    “I must inform you that this administration is in a hurry to deliver on its mandate and make life more meaningful to the people.

    “The torch of accelerated development that we hold in trust for the people is irreversible.

    “You must guard your loins and hit the ground running in your various offices. You must foster a good working relationship with the workers, especially the Permanent Secretaries and other Accounting Officers,” he said.

    Aiyedatiwa said they should all bear in mind that the government and people of the state were united in their thirst for credible performance, development and good governance.

    “You must eschew corruption or any act that is not nurturing to good governance and overriding public interest.

    “I like to implore all friends, families and well-wishers of the new appointees to refrain from putting undue pressures on them so that they can concentrate and discharge their duties in the overall best interest of the state,” he said.

    Earlier in his welcome address, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tayo Oluwatuyi, emphasised the importance of wholehearted commitment from the newly- inaugurated commissioners.

    Oluwatuyi stressed that their forthcoming responsibilities transcend mere formalities, symbolising principles of justice and equity.

    Speaking on behalf of the newly- inaugurated commissioners, Dr Banji Ajaka, appreciated Aiyedatiwa for the trust reposed in them, with a promise not to disappoint and support the government of Ondo State.

  • No vacancy in government house – Ondo Gov. Aiyedatiwa

    No vacancy in government house – Ondo Gov. Aiyedatiwa

    Lucky Aiyedatiwa the Governor of Ondo state has said contrary to rumours of fake certificates making the rounds in some quarters, his certificate was genuine and authentic-, saying there is no vacancy in Ondo stage government house.

    Aiyedatiwa made this known on Friday at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja after he was cleared by the Screening Committee to contest the primary election.

    “My certificates are genuine and authentic. I think it is just a kind of mischief by some other aspirants who find me to be an aspirant to beat, trying to look for a way to discredit my person but that has been verified and put to rest.

    “I think the issue really regarding that was a school they claim was established in 1980 and how come I was able to write my WASSCE in 1982. If you are a student of history you will recall that in 1979, when the Governor of Lagos State at the time, Lateef Jakande became Governor of Lagos State, most private schools were taken over and schools were built for the communities. And Ikosi High School that I attended is one of the schools that were built by the regime of Lateef Jakande in 1980. So, it is on record that the school was established in 1980 and at that time I was already in Form ‘3’ in a private school.

    “New Nation is in Ikosi while Royal Comprehensive High School is in Ajegunle Ikorodu very close to Ketu. So all of us were moved to both New Nation and Royal Comprehensive High School and some other schools that were affected by flood. We were all moved into Ikosi High School Ketu that was built by the government and that was how we wrote our WASCE in 1982 because we were in the first set. I was in Form ‘3’ at the time, it used to be five years, not now that you have six years for Secondary school.

    “So their question, the petitioner is how can a school be established in 1980 and we have a first set in 1982 that the first set was supposed to be in 1985 but he didn’t take time to look at the history. So investigation has been conducted, the schools are still there, WAEC office is there where you can actually verify the subject that I took and the year that I graduated and the school. You just need to buy a scratch card and go to the website of WAEC, it will be there – Ikosi High School Iketu and my name will be there with the subjects that I took and the various grades. So it is clear to everybody that my certificate is authentic and I actually graduated from that school in 1982.”

    Asked what his advice was for those trying to pull him down, Aiyedatiwa said there was no vacancy in the Ondo State government house.

    The governor added: “I should just advise them to repent and try to go to the field and work. If they are interested in the seat and the seat Is not vacant, that is why they’re trying to do all that they are doing.”

  • Aiyedatiwa revalidates APC membership

    Aiyedatiwa revalidates APC membership

    Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State on Monday revalidated his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the April 20 primary in the state.

    Aiyedatiwa, who invalidated his APC membership card in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of the state, commended the leadership of the party for the exercise.

    The governor emphasised the significance of the exercise in upholding the integrity of the party and its commitment to democratic ideals.

    The Chairman of the membership revalidation committee, Mr Yakubu Bello, while addressing party members, reiterated that the main objective of the exercise was to ensure that only financial members of the party were eligible to participate in the primary.

    He said that accuracy of the membership list was paramount to maintaining transparency and fairness in the electoral process.

  • Aiyedatiwa nominates 12 new commissioners

    Aiyedatiwa nominates 12 new commissioners

    Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has forwarded another list of 12 commissioner-nominees to the State House of Assembly for confirmation.

    The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Ebenezer Adeniyan, stated this in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Akure.

    Recall Aiyedatiwa had on March 1, 2024 sworn in six commissioners.

    “The letter containing the list of the nominees was addressed to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Tayo Oluwatuyi,” Adeniyan said.

    The nominees are Pastor Segun Ayerin, Mr Olaolu Akindolire, Mr Hamidu Takuro, Dr Banji Ajaka, Mr Boye Ologbese, Mr Sunday Akinwalere, Mrs Lola Fagbemi, Mr Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye and Mr Rasheed Badmus.

    Others are Mr Olayato Aribo, Mr Adewale Akinlosotu and Mr Gbenga Olaniyi.

    Adeniyan said the governor urged the Assembly to give immediate consideration to the confirmation of the nominees.

  • Ondo 2024: APC lawmakers endorse Aiyedatiwa for governor

    Ondo 2024: APC lawmakers endorse Aiyedatiwa for governor

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers at the Ondo State House of Assembly have endorsed Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa as their preferred aspirant for the state Nov.16 governorship election.

    Mr Olamide Oladiji, the Speaker of the House said this when he spoke with newsmen shortly after a closed-door meeting with the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party on Monday in Abuja.

    He said the meeting was to thank the party’s leadership for ensuring peace in the state after the death of Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu.

    Oladiji lauded Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, the APC National Chairman for playing vital role in the return of peace to the state’s chapter.

    “If not for your intervention, we wouldn’t have been enjoying the peace we enjoy in Ondo APC today,” the speaker said.

    He added that the state’s lawmakers were in support of the party’s leadership and the President Bola Tinubu-led administration and would continue to work with it to achieve the Renewed Hope Agenda.

    He said that Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa had been able to turn around things in the state within his few days on the mantle of leadership.

    “We will work to ensure the continuity of his government and the APC in Ondo State.

    “The state is at peace under its new governor contrary to what those outside it may say. Aiyedatiwa’s achievement just in few months in office is there for all to see.

    “He has continued the legacy of the deceased governor and had been able to bring a synergy between the judiciary and the state executive,” he said.

    Ganduje in his response, appreciated the lawmakers for the visit and expressed happiness that the party’s leadership was able to resolve the crisis in the state chapter.

    Ganduje said although the party had planned a well articulated programme to produce a worthy governorship candidate, the cooperation of its members was critical to achieve a successful primary election to pick its governorship candidate.

    The APC had scheduled the state governorship primaries for April.

    Aiyedatiwa who was late Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu’s deputy, took over as the governor after his death in December 2023 in line with the Constitution.

  • Aiyedatiwa appoints new Head of Service

    Aiyedatiwa appoints new Head of Service

    Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has appointed Bayo Philip as acting Head of Service of the state.

    This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Akure by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor,  Mr Ebenezer Adeniyan.

    Adesiyan said the appointment of Phillip as the 16th HoS is with immediate effect.

    He said the governor approved the retirement of the outgone Head of Service, Mr Kayode Ogundele, with immediate effect.

    The CPS said the governor appreciated Ogundele for his service to the state and wished him the best in his future endeavours.

    Ogundele was sworn-in as the 15th Head of Service of the state on Aug.4, 2022 by late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.