The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday announced All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Lucky Ayedatiwa, as the winner of the Ondo State governorship election to be held on Saturday, November 16, 2024.
Incumbent Governor Ayedatiwa won all 18 local governments in the state, securing his first full term in office with a landslide victory.
Ayedatiwa assumed power as de facto governor in 2023 following the death of Rotimi Akeredolu, the principal who was serving as deputy governor.
His victory in this election solidified his status as one of the notable lieutenant governors to rise to the governorship.
Below is a detailed look by the Tribune at other prominent deputy governors who have assumed the office of governor across Nigeria.
Goodluck Jonathan (Bayelsa State)
Goodluck Jonathan was sworn in as Bayelsa State Governor from the position of Deputy Governor in December 2005, following the impeachment of Diepreye Alamiyeseiga on corruption charges. Jonathan later became Nigeria’s vice president and eventually its president.
Patrick Yakowa (Kaduna State)
Patrick Yakowa was sworn in as governor of Kaduna State on May 20, 2010, after Namadi Sambo was elevated to the position of vice president. Jacoba was the first Christian to serve as governor.
Virginia Etiaba (Anambra State)
Virginia Etiaba made history in November 2006 as Nigeria’s first female governor after the impeachment of Peter Obi. Her tenure was short-lived, as Obi’s impeachment was overturned three months later.
Adebayo Alao Akala (Oyo State)
Alao-Akala became governor in January 2006 following the impeachment of Rashidi Radoja. Ladoja was reinstated later that year, but Alao-Akala won the 2007 gubernatorial election.
Bala James Ngilari (Adamawa State)
In October 2014, Ngilari was sworn in as Adamawa State governor following the impeachment of Murtala Nyako. He served until his term expired in May 2015.
Ibrahim Gaidam (Yobe State)
Gaidam took office in January 2009 following the death of Governor Manman Ali. He then won consecutive elections in 2011 and 2015.
Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano State)
Ganduje succeeded Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as governor of Kano State in 2015 and served as deputy governor twice, from 1999 to 2003 and from 2011 to 2015. He was re-elected in 2019.
Umar Namadi (Jigawa State)
Namadi succeeded Badal Abubakar from the position of deputy governor to governor of Jigawa State in 2023 after contesting on the platform of the APC.
David Umahi (Ebonyi State)
Mr Umahi was the deputy governor of Ebonyi State until he was elected governor in 2015 on the platform of the PDP.
Mahmoud Shinkafi (Zamfara State)
Shinkafi replaced principal Yerima Sani in 2007 after serving as deputy governor for eight years. However, because he left the PDP in 2008, he was unable to run for re-election in 2011.
Mukhtar Yero (Kaduna State)
Yero became governor of Kaduna State in 2012 after the death of Patrick Yakowa. He served until 2015.
Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo State)
Ayedatiwa was sworn in as Ondo State governor in 2023 after the death of Rotimi Akeredolu. His historic victory over Agboola Ajayi of the PDP and 15 other candidates in the 2024 elections marks a new chapter in his political career.
