‘Your support will pay off’, Aiyedatiwa tells Ese Odo, Irele, Okitipupa residents

Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has assured residents of Ese Odo, Okitipupa, Irele and Ile Oluji/Oke Igbo Local Government Areas that their overwhelming support in the last governorship election will continue to translate into tangible dividends of democracy.

The governor gave the assurance during the continuation of his Thank-You Tour of the councils, stressing that the visit was to appreciate the people for freely giving him their mandate about a year ago, which culminated in an unprecedented 18–0 electoral victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Recalling his campaign experience, Governor Aiyedatiwa said he often arrived in the communities late at night but was warmly received by residents who patiently waited for him, describing the gesture as a clear demonstration of trust, solidarity and commitment.

On the protracted Irele kingship dispute, the governor assured that a monarch would soon be installed, stressing that the process must strictly follow the existing chieftaincy declaration. He disclosed that the list of warrant chiefs was already with the state government and would be presented at the next State Executive Council meeting for approval.

Acknowledging that development is a gradual process, Governor Aiyedatiwa assured residents that electricity challenges would be addressed, while highlighting achievements such as school renovations, road construction and rehabilitation, and mass employment across critical sectors.

“Over 2,000 teachers have been recruited into primary and secondary schools, marking the first major recruitment exercise in about 15 years, while pensioners are now being paid regularly,” he said, adding that security of lives and property remains a top priority, with private security outfits engaged to secure waterways.

The governor also said his administration has deepened inclusivity through what he described as the highest number of appointments in the state’s history, while creating a conducive environment for investment, citing the revalidation of the deep seaport licence and the signing of an MoU for a modular refinery as major breakthroughs.

Assuring residents of more dividends of democracy, Governor Aiyedatiwa announced the approval of key road projects, including the Agadagda–Obon and Sabomi roads, adding that commissioners have been directed to nominate five kilometres of roads from their local governments, with the Agadagda–Obon–Ilerikiri Road set to be the first of its kind in over a decade.