Lucky Aiyedatiwa is the Governor of Ondo State. A businessman from the oil-producing Ilaje area, he became Deputy Governor in 2021, survived an attempt to impeach him during Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s illness in 2023, succeeded Akeredolu on his death and won a full term by a landslide in November 2024.12
Early life and career
Aiyedatiwa was born on 12 January 1965 in Obe-Nla, Ilaje. He trained as a teacher, studied business at the University of Ibadan and took an MBA at the University of Liverpool. He founded the Blue Wall group of companies in 1996 and represented Ondo on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission in 2018–2019.1
Deputy Governor and succession
Akeredolu chose him as running mate in 2020, and he was sworn in as Deputy Governor in February 2021.1 During Akeredolu’s long medical absence in 2023, supporters of the governor in the State House of Assembly began impeachment proceedings against Aiyedatiwa, accusing him of disloyalty. President Tinubu intervened and the Assembly withdrew the case.3 Akeredolu died on 27 December 2023, and Aiyedatiwa was sworn in the same day.1
The 2024 election
Aiyedatiwa won the APC primary and the 16 November 2024 election with 366,781 votes against 117,845 for the PDP’s Agboola Ajayi, carrying all 18 local government areas, though turnout was low.2
Personal life
He is married to Oluseun Aiyedatiwa, and they have three children.1
