- The Ondo governorship election is scheduled for Saturday, November 16, 2024
- Since its creation in 1976, Ondo State has been governed by 19 different leaders, including military rulers and democratically elected officials
- TheRadar compiled the governors who have led the state from 1999 to 2024
The Ondo governorship election is set to take place on Saturday, November 16, 2024, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Since its establishment in 1976, Ondo State has been led by 19 different individuals, ranging from military leaders to democratically elected officials.
Below are the governors who have led the State from 1999 to the present:
Chief Adebayo Adefarati (1999 - 2003)
In the 1999 Ondo State gubernatorial election, Adefarati was elected as governor, serving from May 29, 1999, to May 29, 2003, for a four-year term under the Alliance for Democracy party.
Widespread dissatisfaction with his administration and criticisms regarding the lack of transparency in how the Alliance for Democracy chose its gubernatorial candidates.
In the April 2007 presidential election, he represented the Alliance for Democracy party as a candidate but died at age 76 in Owo, Ondo State, from an undisclosed illness a few weeks before the election.
Among his achievements, he facilitated the relocation of Ondo State University from Ado-Ekiti to Akungba-Akoko in 1999. In 2004, he renamed the institution after Governor Adekunle Ajasin to honour his memory following Ajasin’s death.
Olusegun Agagu (2003 - 2009)
Olusegun Kokumo Agagu served as the governor of Ondo State from May 29, 2003, until February 2009, when his re-election was annulled by a court due to electoral irregularities. He completed a five-year term with the Peoples Democratic Party before being succeeded by Olusegun Mimiko, who was the runner-up in the election.
Agagu was initially appointed by President Olusegun Obasanjo as the Minister of Aviation in May 1999 and later served as the Minister for Power and Steel from 2000 to 2002.
President Olusegun Obasanjo acknowledged his efforts leading Ondo State on June 29, 2006, noting, "You have taken time to plan. We have also seen that the execution of the plan is now showing results."
Agagu slumped and died in Lagos on September 13, 2013.
Olusegun Mimiko (2009 - 2017)
Mimiko was governor of Ondo State from February 24, 2009, to February 24, 2017, serving an eight-year term under the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party.
Mimiko’s early political career began with his role as Commissioner for Health and Social Services in Ondo State from 1992 to 1993, a position he occupied until a military coup terminated the Third Nigerian Republic.
With the return of democracy in Nigeria, Mimiko resumed his role as Commissioner of Health in Ondo State from 1999 until his resignation in 2002.
After his tenure ended, Mimiko spent a year travelling to Nigeria, London, and Washington DC to deliver public lectures and advocate for universal healthcare and effective governance.
He declared his candidacy for the Nigerian presidency in the 2019 elections in September 2018 and secured the nomination as the Zenith Labour Party’s presidential candidate in October 2018.
On November 14, 2018, Mimiko revealed that he was suspending his presidential bid just before the official commencement of the campaign season.
Rotimi Akeredolu ( 2017 - 2023)
Akeredolu governed Ondo State from February 24, 2017, until he died in 2023, completing a six-year term under the All Progressives Congress.
Known by the title "Arakunrin" and the nickname "Aketi," he was a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and served as the president of the Nigerian Bar Association in 2008.
Akeredolu was inaugurated for his second term on February 24, 2021. On the same day, he and his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, began their respective offices.
He promoted the importance of tax payments in the state to enhance economic growth and ensure the fulfilment of state obligations.
Ahead of his medical leave, Akeredolu issued a notice on December 12, 2023, appointing Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to serve as the acting governor of the state.
Fifteen days later, Akeredolu died in a German hospital on December 27 at the age of 67 while being treated. The cause of death was listed as leukaemia and prostate cancer.
Lucky Aiyedatiwa (2023 till date)
Following Akeredolu's death, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa began his tenure as the governor of Ondo State on December 27, 2023.
According to legal provisions, Aiyedatiwa is expected to serve the rest of Akeredolu's term, which will conclude in February 2025.
As one of the candidates for the November 16 gubernatorial election, he has repeatedly noted that his late predecessor, Akeredolu, had hoped he would take over the role.
“Distinguished citizens and party faithful, I must re-echo what our late leader had always wished for in his lifetime.
“It was his wish that I succeed him, not in death though, as the next Governor of the state. He was a courageous and visionary leader who had no time for pretense and so he expressed this wish at different fora in both public and private,” Aiyedatiwa stated.
Seyi Law appreciates Ondo Governor Aiyedatiwa on SSA appointment
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that popular Nigerian comedian Oluwaseyi Aletile, otherwise known as Seyi Law, has appreciated the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, for appointing him as Senior Special Assistant on entertainment and tourism.
Many congratulated the renowned comedian for his new appointment, some suggested what he should focus on in the state and others attributed his appointment to the close relationship with the President.