Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, promised on Monday that he would immortalise his predecessor, Rotimi Akeredolu.
Aiyedatiwa, who took over as governor of the state after Akeredolu died last week, also promised to continue and complete all of his predecessor’s projects across the state.
The governor made this promise during his New Year’s Day statewide broadcast on Monday.
Expressing gratitude to God for surviving the year 2023, Aiyedatiwa acknowledged that the past year was one of the most trying years since the existence of the state.
He said, “It was a year that ended with the unfortunate loss of our dear former governor and leader, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON. Arakunrin left an indelible mark on the annals of time, and his contributions to the development of our state, and indeed, Nigeria, are etched in history.
“As promised, we will not only give our late former governor a befitting state burial but will also immortalise his name, just as we will strive to complete all the developmental projects he embarked upon as Governor of Ondo State.
“His death was preceded by events that tested us in diverse ways but those challenges have shaped our resolve to, more than ever before, bring our people together and pursue the attainment of a peaceful and prosperous Ondo State. It is time to put the past behind us and focus all our human and material resources on building on the foundation that this administration has so far laid.”
As the state prepares for elections this year, Aiyedatiwa urged all gladiators and stakeholders to play by the rules and avoid all forms of violence before, during, and after the elections.
“As we are all aware, this is also the year for our governorship election. Expectedly, political activities will gain prominence as we march towards the election. However, let me implore all political parties, aspirants and their followers to eschew violent conduct that can threaten the peace and tranquilly of our state and ensure that they follow strictly the guidelines issued by the electoral umpire.
“The election should be a contest of ideas and choices, not a chance to settle political scores or an opportunity for calumny,” he said.
