Senate President Bukola Saraki, on Friday, led dignitaries across all walks of life to witness in Akure the swearing-in ceremony of Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) as the new governor of Ondo State.
Other dignitaries present at the epoch making event held at the Akure Stadium included Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the national leader of All Progressives Congress (APC) and John Odigie-Oyegun, national chairman of APC.
Also present at the event were the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Communication, Barr Adebayo Shittu, Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr Kayode Fayemi, Senators Dino Melaye, Tayo Alasoadura and Isiaka Adeleke.
Serving governors including Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti, Senator Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun, Senator Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State and Simon Lalong of Plateau, were also present at the event
Gov. Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa and Gov. Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State, Senator Joshua Dariye, former governor of Plateau were also present while former Gov.Olagunsoye Oyinlola of Osun State represented former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Traditional rulers, including Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Fredric Akinruntan, the Osemowe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kinladejo, the Olowo of Owo, Oba Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi, the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo, also attended the event.
Highlight of the event at the jam-packed stadium was a parade by men of the Nigerian Police and different interest groups.
Party faithful and various interest groups, who were clad in different uniforms, also participated in a colourful march pass where Akeredolu took salute.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Akeredolu of the APC defeated Eyitayo Jegede of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in the Nov. 26, 2016 gubernatorial poll in Ondo State to become the governor of the state.
NAN also reports that former Gov. Olusegun Mimiko formally handed over the reins of office to Akeredolu in a brief but colourful ceremony on Thursday evening.
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