A few days to the 50th anniversary of Ondo State, residents expressed displeasure over Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa’s inability to commission a single project to mark the milestone, despite having spent about two years in office.
The Ondo State Facebook space became awash with reactions after a human rights activist and indigene of the state, Omoyele Sowore, joined the criticism, condemning what he described as the governor’s dismal performance.
In a post on his Facebook page, Sowore wrote: “Ondo @50 has been reduced to little more than spectacle and fluff under Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa’s watch.
There are no refurbished schools to showcase, no bridges built, no completed roads to commission, no hospitals to open, and no concrete security achievements to speak of, except for the Amotekun commander shooting at his men.
“Instead of milestones, citizens are offered pageantry; instead of progress, physical dance performances. At 50, Ondo State is not marking development or renewal, but merely dancing around its own stagnation, while thuggery thrives and governance remains conspicuously absent.”
Apparently embarrassed by the sustained attacks on his principal on social media, the governor’s Special Adviser on Communications and Strategy, Allen Sowore, who is also the younger brother of Omoyele Sowore, issued a six-paragraph press statement to calm public outrage.
In the statement, Allen said: “It is important to inform the general public that Ondo State has two major milestone events scheduled for February 2026. The first is February 3, 2026, which marks the 50th anniversary of the creation of Ondo State. The second is February 24, 2026, which marks one year in office of Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa as the seventh democratically elected governor of Ondo State.
“The February 24, 2026, first anniversary of the governor’s administration will, however, be dedicated to the commissioning of completed projects. To this end, SEVERAL MONUMENTAL projects across the state have been identified and lined up for commissioning as part of the anniversary activities.”
Indeed, the statement momentarily doused public tension, as residents shifted attention to February 24, when the governor would mark his first anniversary in office and unveil the so-called monumental projects.
However, a document has since surfaced on social media outlining the state government’s programme of activities for the anniversary. The document lists a five-day event schedule, ending with an interdenominational thanksgiving service and a gala night.
A careful review of the document, however, reveals no single monumental project slated for commissioning during the five-day programme. This directly contradicts the earlier claim made by the Special Adviser on Communications and Strategy.
For instance, of the seven road projects listed for commissioning, three were inherited from the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu; one is a rehabilitated road; another is a World Bank-funded project; while only two were initiated and completed under the Aiyedatiwa administration.
To break it down further, the Igoba Community Road, Alagbaka Extension and SIB Road, as well as the Oba Afunbiowo Housing Estate Road, were projects commenced under the late Akeredolu. These roads were already at advanced stages and merely awaiting asphalt before his death. Sadly, the Aiyedatiwa administration abandoned them for nearly two years before completing them to mark his first anniversary.
Another road listed for commissioning is the Igbotako Township Road, a two-kilometre World Bank project executed under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP). It is also embarrassing that a mere rehabilitated road; the Ayegunle to Iwaro-Oka Road, is being presented as a commissioning project.
Ondo State has 18 local government areas, yet road projects are listed for commissioning in only four. There are no projects in Idanre, Ose, Akoko North-West, Akoko North-East, Akoko South-East, Akure North, Ondo East, Ondo West, Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo, Ifedore, Ese-Odo, Odigbo, or Irele. What further evidence is required to establish that Governor Aiyedatiwa, who has been in office for two years is an abysmal failure?
Even the Supertek Methanol Plant and Solwood Plywood Plant included among the projects to be commissioned are privately owned. The governor cannot legitimately claim credit for them, as both are components of the Ondo-Linyi Industrial Hub facilitated by the late Governor Akeredolu during his first term.
Governor Aiyedatiwa had a rare opportunity to etch his name into the hearts of Ondo State residents, particularly as he assumed office at a time of increased monthly FAAC allocations to states. In 2024, Ondo State reportedly received not less than ₦15 billion monthly, while allocations in 2025 ranged between ₦15 billion and ₦20 billion.
It is therefore disheartening that, despite these substantial inflows, the administration could only complete a handful of inherited projects and construct just two new roads for commissioning after two years in office.
Omoyele Sowore was right: Ondo State has indeed been reduced to little more than spectacle and fluff under Aiyedatiwa's watch. Truly, Aiyedatiwa has no refurbished schools to commission, no bridges built, and no newly built hospitals to celebrate his anniversary.
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