- Says Aiyedatiwa first governor in Ondo to celebrate one-year anniversary with projects in every LG
Starnews NG reports that Bidemi Obayangban, popularly known as O.C. General, the Special Assistant to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Forestry (Ondo South), has come forward to defend the governor and downplay the criticism that has gone viral in recent days.
In a passionate response, Obayangban asserted that no previous government has accomplished as much for Akure City in just one year as Governor Aiyedatiwa. He highlighted that the ongoing commissioning of projects is a testament to the governor’s commitment to development, claiming that the scale of road projects alone is substantial.
“This is the first time in the history of Ondo State that an elected governor celebrates a one-year anniversary with project commissioning listed in each local government area,” Obayangban stated, refuting insinuations that some local governments lack projects. He insisted that every local government under Aiyedatiwa has at least two project, whether completed or ongoing, marking a departure from past practices where projects were often tribalised.
Obayangban pointed out that Governor Aiyedatiwa recently declared an emergency in the state’s health sector, which included site visits to all general and state hospitals with a report submitted which indicate ongoing work to refurbish Ondo hospitals. He lamented that critics have overlooked the resuscitation of The Hope newspaper and the Ondo State Radiovision Corporation (OSRC), both of which had fallen into disrepair before Aiyedatiwa took office.
He further criticised the detractors for failing to acknowledge the near completion of projects initiated by the late Rotimi Akeredolu, Aiyedatiwa’s predecessor, including flyover bridges and road dualisation, some of which have now been completed. Obayangban highlighted the construction of over 50 boreholes across the state, as well as the rehabilitation of earth dams, all aim to provide clean water to more than one million people in the state.
In terms of employment and job creation, he emphasised the significant recruitment of teachers in Ondo State, alongside initiatives for farmer empowerment and government support for small businesses through employment and infrastructure development. He also noted the mass recruitment of personnel into the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, which includes the procurement of facilities, utility vehicles, and logistics, all aimed at bolstering security in the state.
On the state’s economy and finances, Obayangban praised Aiyedatiwa’s administration as the most prudent and efficient in Ondo State’s history. He claimed that the state finance ministry has effectively blocked loopholes and leakages, resulting in minimal corruption. According to records from the Debt Management Office (DMO) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) for early 2024–2025, Ondo State has established itself as one of the states with the lowest domestic debt profiles in Nigeria, marking a significant achievement.
Regarding electricity, he highlighted the O’Datiwa Meters Programme, a mass metering initiative designed to provide prepaid electricity meters to residents, which aims to eliminate the practice of estimated billing by distribution companies in the state.
In the education sector, he stated that several dilapidated primary and secondary school buildings have been rebuilt or rehabilitated, with ongoing projects that have gone unnoticed by critics. He asserted that universities in Ondo State are no longer facing issues with low incentives or strikes, with salaries now paid promptly and new infrastructure projects underway.
Obayangban described claims that the governor has no projects in his local government as utter falsehood. He mentioned ongoing housing projects in Ondo State, including an ultra-modern judicial office complex and various federal housing projects.
While acknowledging that no government can achieve all its goals within a year or two, he urged the citizens of Ondo to be patient as more developments unfold.
Obayangban’s fervent defence of Governor Aiyedatiwa underscores his frustration with detractors, as he calls for recognition of the governor’s efforts and the tangible progress being made in Ondo State.
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