By Dayo Johnson, Akure

Ondo State’s Commissioner for Information, Wale Akinlosotu, has described Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate, as a “tested, trusted, and capable leader who will elevate the state to new heights.”

Akinlosotu praised Aiyedatiwa’s performance in the recent governorship debate organized by Channels Television, describing it as “excellent.”

In a statement issued in Akure, Akinlosotu noted, “The governor performed excellently in the debate, decisively outperforming his opponent from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Agboola Ajayi.” He added that the debate provided an opportunity for Aiyedatiwa to showcase his administration’s achievements across sectors, which earned widespread applause from the audience.

Akinlosotu commended APC for presenting a candidate with a proven record of reliability and capability, while also acknowledging the support Aiyedatiwa has received from Ondo State residents across all 18 local government areas. He highlighted some of Aiyedatiwa’s notable achievements, including infrastructural development aimed at improving living conditions and attracting investment to foster industrial growth in the state.

In the education sector, Aiyedatiwa has undertaken construction and rehabilitation of school buildings, provided essential amenities and instructional materials, covered full WAEC fees, employed 2,000 teachers, and facilitated training and retraining programs.

The commissioner also praised the governor’s strides in healthcare, including revitalizing health infrastructure, recruiting health workers for primary healthcare centers across the state, enhancing doctors’ salaries, and implementing the Orange Health Insurance Scheme (ORANGHIS) to ensure affordable healthcare.

During the debate, Aiyedatiwa expressed confidence in his support among the people of Ondo State, stating that his known “integrity, performance, and commitment” will earn him victory in the upcoming November 16 election. He criticized PDP candidate Agboola Ajayi for spreading misinformation, particularly regarding accusations of excessive security expenditures and alleged misappropriations.

Aiyedatiwa debunked these claims as “political lies,” stressing the transparency of his administration.

The APC candidate underscored his administration’s positive impact in Ondo State over the past ten months, which has led to defections from opposition parties to APC. He attributed this support to his administration’s efforts in industrialization, job creation, agricultural investments, educational reforms, healthcare advancements, and overall governance style.

In response to questions on the state’s debt profile, Aiyedatiwa noted that Ondo State currently has one of the lowest debt profiles among Nigerian states, and his administration has not borrowed funds since he took office.

Aiyedatiwa highlighted his efforts in security, including the creation of the Amotekun Rangers to secure border areas. This enhanced security, combined with infrastructural developments, has attracted investors to Ondo State. He cited an industrial park that employs nearly 4,000 locals and a cocoa processing factory producing 7,000 tonnes monthly, while also supporting rural access projects to facilitate agricultural produce transport.

Aiyedatiwa also reassured riverine communities of ongoing collaboration with the federal government to include them in the Lekki-Calabar Highway project, promising land reclamation and further development in the area.