The Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Wale Akinlosotu, stated on Monday that the Sunday governorship debate revealed Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s readiness for effective governance in the state.
In a statement signed by him, Akinlosotu highlighted that Aiyedatiwa is politically sound, physically fit, and economically adept to provide good governance for the people of Ondo State.
He praised Aiyedatiwa’s exceptional performance during the debate, which, according to Akinlosotu, left his opponents confounded and attempting to cover up with falsehoods. Akinlosotu expressed pride in Aiyedatiwa, who he said has elevated governance in the state over the past ten months.
The Sunday governorship debate, organized by Channels Television and Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, provided Aiyedatiwa an opportunity to showcase his achievements across various sectors of the state’s economy.
He stated, “The governor’s performance at the debate confirms that APC has a reliable, tested, and trusted candidate who has proven his ability to deliver on promises and elevate the state.”
The commissioner, congratulating the APC for selecting a candidate of Aiyedatiwa’s caliber, also commended the people of the state for their support, which he said is evident across the 18 local government areas.
Akinlosotu listed Aiyedatiwa’s transformative achievements, which he described as making him the popular choice in the upcoming November 16 election. These include infrastructure development aimed at improving residents’ lives and attracting investments to fully industrialize the state.
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He further highlighted Aiyedatiwa’s contributions to the education sector, including constructing and renovating school buildings, providing necessary amenities and instructional materials, covering full WAEC fees, hiring 2,000 teachers, and offering teacher training.
In the health sector, Akinlosotu praised Aiyedatiwa’s accomplishments, such as revitalizing healthcare infrastructure, hiring health workers for primary and secondary healthcare centers, increasing doctors’ salaries to retain personnel, and ensuring affordable healthcare access through the Orange Health Insurance Scheme (ORANGHIS).
At the debate, Aiyedatiwa sympathized with the opposition PDP, remarking on their dwindling support base. He credited this shift to the accomplishments of the APC government in Ondo and expressed confidence in securing a clear victory in the November 16 election based on his “antecedents, integrity, and performance in office.”
The APC flagbearer, expressing surprise at the PDP candidate’s alleged untruths, advised Ajayi to speak only the truth.
Aiyedatiwa refuted claims that he spent N1.2 billion monthly on security votes and withdrew the same amount on the eve of the Edo State Governorship election, labeling these as political fabrications.
Aiyedatiwa asserted that Ondo State has improved significantly under his leadership, with opposition members frequently defecting to the APC to support his administration beyond 2025.
He emphasized his experience, training, integrity, and character as assets that equip him to deliver effective governance.
“There is no one left in PDP,” he said, adding that all major political figures in the opposition have joined the APC. He encouraged fact-checking, as most former PDP members have already moved to his party.
The governor listed achievements that have endeared him to the people, such as his push for industrialization, job creation, agricultural investments, education sector improvements, health sector advancements, inclusive governance, and a robust welfare program for workers and pensioners.
Addressing the state’s debt profile, Aiyedatiwa stated, “Within my ten months in office, Ondo State has maintained one of the lowest debt profiles. We haven’t needed to borrow funds.”
He also emphasized his commitment to security, mentioning the establishment of Amotekun Rangers for border areas to prevent criminal incursions, which complements the state’s existing infrastructure that has drawn investors.
He noted the development of an industrial park employing nearly 4,000 Ondo State natives, producing ethanol from cassava.
The governor added that the cocoa processing factory in the state produces approximately 7,000 tonnes of cocoa monthly, and his administration is working to improve rural infrastructure so farm produce can reach factories for processing.
The state government cleared about 10,000 hectares in Jughere to encourage youth participation in farming, particularly in the cocoa sector, while attracting investment to palm produce.
Aiyedatiwa assured residents of riverine areas that he had engaged with the Federal Government to include them in the Lekki, Lagos, and Calabar Highway route, pledging to reclaim land and provide more land to the people.
