Lucky Aiyedatiwa has been sworn in as the substantive governor of the state.

Aiyedatiwa was sworn in on Wednesday at the government house, Alagbaka, Akure, the state capital, after the death of Rotimi Akeredolu, the governor of Ondo.

In his acceptance speech, Aiyedatiwa asked the “people of Ondo State to continue to remember us in their prayers as we continue to emplace good governance in our dear State”.

Akeredolu died on Wednesday morning at the age of 67.

Before his death, the Ondo governor had been away from the state since June for medical treatment and returned on September 7.

On December 12, Richard Olatunde, chief press secretary to the late governor, announced that his principal would embark on a medical leave on Wednesday, December 13 as a follow-up to his treatment.

Olatunde said in a statement that ”a formal letter regarding the medical leave and a notice formally transferring power in line with the Nigerian Constitution will be transmitted to the House of Assembly”.

“In the absence of Governor Akeredolu, the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, will assume the responsibilities of the Governor in an acting capacity,” the statement reads.

POLITICAL CRISIS

On September 7, Akeredolu returned to Nigeria after a three-month medical leave in Germany and was operating from his residence in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.

His remote working scenario led to a political crisis in Ondo — one that pitted Akeredolu’s loyalists against his deputy.

There were also attempts to impeach the deputy governor before and after Akeredolu’s return to Nigeria.

On November 24, President Bola Tinubu waded into the the Cold war and rift between Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa.

On November 28, Olamide Oladiji, speaker of the Ondo house of assembly, asked Aiyedatiwa to sign an undated letter of resignation as a pre-condition for a transfer of power to him.

There have also been allegations of Akeredolu’s signature being forged on official documents as the governor continued to work from Ibadan.

Akeredolu immediately refuted  the allegations.

The Cable