The governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, says President Bola Tinubu has tasked him with the responsibility of leading and unifying all stakeholders to drive the state’s development.
Aiyedatiwa revealed this during a conversation with reporters after meeting with the President in Lagos on Thursday, a day after assuming office as governor following the demise of the former governor, Rotimi Akeredolu.
He conveyed that his visit to Tinubu aimed to update the President on the recent events in Ondo State and express gratitude for his unwavering support during the state’s challenging period.
“I am here to see Mr President to further brief him on the events that happened in our state, the loss of our governor and to also let him know that I have just been sworn in because there can never be a vacuum, as the governor of Ondo State being his former deputy.”
“Also, to thank him for standing with us during the critical moment in our state with everything that happened in the state in the last six months he stood by us. So, I am here to just thank him for being a father figure to the state, and for his advice,” Aiyedatiwa said.
The governor further shared the President’s counsel, which included advice to unite all factions within the state for improved governance and administration
“It was a paradox of mixed feelings. He commiserated with me, even though he put a call through to me yesterday to condole with us in Ondo State and still did the same today and also wished me well that there cannot be a vacuum. One era ends and another era begins but it is within the same administration and that is the first time such a thing is happening in Ondo state, to have a transition within an administration due to the demise of the governor.”
“So, it’s basically an advice and also to encourage me to take charge and mobilize everybody and to pull everybody together to work together and see how we can move the state forward,” Aiyedatiwa said.