Ondo electorates will today file out to elect the next governor who will pilot the affairs of the state for the next four years
By Kehinde Okeowo
Electorates in Ondo State will file out today to elect the next governor, 11 months after the death of former Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu
According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), 17 political parties have nominated candidates for the Saturday election.
The final list of candidates which was earlier published by INEC on June 14, includes incumbent governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his main challenger, Agboola Ajayi, a former deputy governor of the state.
Below are the candidates:
LUCKY AIYEDATIWA (APC)
Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the sitting governor of Ondo State and the flagbear of the All Progressives Congress Party (APC), was born on 12 January 1965. He hails from Obe-Nla, an oil-bearing community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
He became the governor of the state after the demise of his boss, Rotimi Akeredolu.
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AGBOOLA AJAYI (PDP)
Agboola Ajayi, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was born on September 24, 1968 to Chief Newton Ajayi and Mrs Rebecca Ogunjinte (née Olubusade). He hails from Kiribo Town of Western Apoi tribe in the Ese Odo LGA of Ondo State.
He was a deputy governor to late Rotimi Akeredolu before they fell out.
AYODELE FESTUS OLORUNFEMI (LP)
A unionist, Dr Ayodele Festus Olorunfemi emerged as the governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Ondo State on April 26, 2024.
He was earlier delisted by INEC after a judgement by a High Court judge but was later reinstated after a factional governorship candidate, Ebiseni was sacked by an Abuja Appeal Court.
Other candidates include Akingboye Benson Bamidele (SDP), Falaiye Abraham Ajibola (A), Akinuli Fred Omolare (AA), Ajayi Adekunle Oluwaseyi (AAC), Akinnodi Ayodeji Emmanuel (ADP), Popoola Olatunji Tunde (APGA), Ogunfeyimi Isaac Kolawole (APM), Fadoju Amos Babatunde (APP), Olugbenga Omogbemi Edema (NNPP), Alli Babatunde Francis (PRP), Akinmurele John Otitoloju (YPP), Adegoke Kehinde Paul (YP), Mimiko Olubansile Abbas (ZLP) and Nejo Adeyemi (ADC).
