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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has disclosed that he will contest the November 2024 governorship election in the state.
Aiyedatiwa made the disclosure in an interview with TVC News on Friday, adding that nobody wants to be governor for one year.
Aiyedatiwa was sworn in as the substantive governor of Ondo State following the death of Akeredolu on December 27, 2023.
Prior to Akeredolu’s demise, Aiyedatiwa had been battling impeachment threat from the state House of Assembly while the former governor was sick.
It was rumoured that the relationship between Aiyedatiwa and Akeredolu was not cordial, hence the impeachment move.
Ahead of the November governorship election, it is being speculated that loyalists of the late Akeredolu may not support Aiyedatiwa for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket.
The governor will have to battle with the likes of Senator representing Ondo South, Jimoh Ibrahim, immediate past Commissioner for Finance in the state, Wale Akinterinwa for the APC ticket.
When asked if he reconciled with Akeredolu before his death during will interview, 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 election, the governor 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.”