Victor EzejaA new wave of political dispensation is about to kick off in Ondo State, located in South-west Nigeria as Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has been re-elected governor for the next four years.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday, declared Aiyedatiwa the winner of the 2024 governorship election after he scored 366,781 votes, defeating other candidates, including his closest rival, Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 117, 845 votes.
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Aiyedatiwa, who is the incumbent governor of Ondo State, was sworn into office on 27th December 2023, following the death of his predecessor, Rotimi Akeredolu. Aiyedatiwa served as deputy under Akeredolu, a lawyer and politician, who was governor from 2017 until 2023 when he passed away.
Born on 12 January 1965 in Obe-Nla, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, Aiyedatiwa hails from an oil-rich community in the South-west state.
Education and Career
Aiyedatiwa’s educational journey began at Saint Peter’s UNA Primary School in Obe-Nla/Obe Adun, Ilaje LGA, from 1970 to 1976. He further attended Ikosi High School in Ketu, Lagos, finishing in 1982. For his higher education, Aiyedaytiwa proceeded to Lagos State College of Education (now Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education), where he earned a Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) in Economics and Government in 1986.
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Aiyedatiwa worked for a while as a classroom teacher rising to the position of Assistant Head Teacher at Reliance International Schools in Ijokodo, Ibadan.
He later attended the University of Ibadan for an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration with distinction in 2001. He is an alumnus of Lagos Business School – Pan Atlantic University, Lekki, Lagos with Post Graduate Certification in Chief Executive Education (CEP) in Business Management in 2009. He is also an Alumnus of the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom where he obtained a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) in 2013.
Aside from working in the education sector, Aiyedatiwa served in other capacities including also venturing into the corporate business world. He worked as an Inventory/Store Officer at Scoa Assembly Plant Plc. in Apapa, Lagos. He also served as a Marketing Officer at Universal Pharmaceutical Supply Co. Ltd. in Ikeja, Lagos, and as an Assistant Investment Analyst at Global Trust Limited in Gbagada, Lagos.
Entrepreneurship Venture
Before venturing into politics, Aiyedatiwa set up his own businesses. In 1996, he established the Blue Wall Group of Companies, comprising Blue Wall Nigeria Ltd., Blue Wall BDC Nigeria Ltd., and Blue Wall Safety Travels and Tours. As a business development professional, he had interest and substantial experience in Marketing, Financial and Human resources management, New Product Development, Forex Trading and Management, Construction, Real Estate, Hospitality, Public Relations, Travels and Tours. His entrepreneurial endeavour showcased his expertise in marketing, financial management, human resources, and new product development. Still in the world, He was the National Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON) 2004-2010
Journey into Politics
Aiyedatiwa’s entry into politics began in 2011 as a member of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), which later merged with other parties to form the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He served as a National Delegate from Ondo State at the APC National Convention in Abuja in 2014 and contested for the House of Representatives seat for Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency.
From 2018 to 2019, he served as the federal commissioner who represented Ondo State on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Aiyedatiwa’s journey to the governorship seat began when he was selected as the running mate of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu in the 2020 Ondo State gubernatorial election. He became the Deputy Governor of Ondo State on 24th February 2021, and later assumed the role of Acting Governor on 13th December 2023, after Akeredolu’s departure on medical leave.
Following Akeredolu’s demise, Aiyedatiwa was sworn in as the substantive Governor of Ondo State on 27 December 2023.
With his successful election, Aiyedatiwa will upon completion of the tenure of his predecessor, Akeredolu, take a fresh oath of office in February 2025 for another four years.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
