Fifteen members of the Ondo State House of Assembly have thrown their weight behind the current governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa,
in his bid to secure the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket and emerge victorious in the forthcoming November 2024 gubernatorial election.
Led by Speaker Olamide Oladiji, the lawmakers expressed their endorsement of Aiyedatiwa, citing his effective continuation of the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s legacies despite his relatively brief tenure.
This declaration of support follows a recent vote of no confidence passed against the Speaker by some Assembly members, stemming from his public assurance of backing Aiyedatiwa’s candidacy to about 18 lawmakers during the governor’s formal declaration a few weeks prior.
However, Speaker Oladiji, speaking to journalists during a visit to the APC national secretariat in Abuja, emphasised Aiyedatiwa’s commendable performance, including timely salary payments for state workers, the initiation of the recruitment of approximately 2,000 health workers, and fostering harmonious relationships among the legislative, judiciary, and executive branches of government.
Asserting their firm support for Aiyedatiwa’s continuity in office, Speaker Oladiji and the accompanying delegation of lawmakers rebuffed criticisms, particularly a letter addressed to the President concerning Aiyedatiwa’s endorsement, stating their disagreement and reaffirming their loyalty to the APC.
Furthermore, the National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, welcomed the delegation, assuring them of a fair and transparent gubernatorial primary process. Ganduje emphasised the importance of cooperation between the party’s national office and legislators, highlighting the planned procedures for member verification, aspirant screening, and candidate selection to ensure the party’s success in Ondo State.
