Guardian Nigeria
• Pegs June 18 as final date for substitution
• Says campaigns begin June 19
• Aiyedatiwa rallies APC leaders, others, calls for unity
• We’re firmly with you, Ayeka community assures gov
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), at the weekend, published the names and particulars of 16 candidates and their running mates that will contest the governorship election in Ondo State on November 16, 2024.
The list, Form EC9 was pasted at the state’s headquarters of the electoral body, as well as the 18 local council offices of the commission.
The governorship candidates and their running mates include Lucky Aiyedatiwa, 59 and Deputy Governor Olayide Adelami, 66 of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Agboola Ajayi, 55 and Deputy Governor Samuel Ogunmusi, 53 of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Abbas Mimiko, 60 and Deputy Governor Morgan Fadoju, 54 of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Festus Olorunfemi, 59 and Deputy Governor Olubukola Adu, 52 of the Labour Party (LP), and Otitoloju Akinmurele, 43 and Deputy Governor Ayodele Obe of the Young Progressives Party (YPP).
Others include the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Olusegun Oyebolu, 55, Deputy Governor Gift Dada, 45; Action Alliance (AA), Omolere Akinuli, 63, Deputy Governor Adetunji Adeyemi, 67; Accord (A), Ajibola Abraham, 64, Deputy Governor Samuel Ikuyajolu, 36; African Democratic Congress (ADC), Adeyemi Nejo, 42, Rasheed Ibrahim, 56; and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Oluwatosin Ayeni, 35, Deputy Governor Abigail Omoyugbo, 44.
The rest are the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Babatunde Alli, 50, Deputy Governor Olusegun Famesa, 48; African Action Congress (AAC); Adekunle Ajayi, 37, Deputy Governor Victor Lijofi, 38; Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Isaac Ogunfeyimi, 75, Deputy Governor, Folorunso Afolabi, 63; Action Peoples Party (APP), Babatunde Fadoju, 56, Deputy Governor Abimbola Ajaguna, 36; All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); Olatunji Popoola, 66, Deputy Governor, Taiwo Adedeji, 40, and Youth Party (YP), Kehinde Paul, 35, Deputy Governor, Otitoleke Olupitan, 35.
Meanwhile, the INEC has disclosed that the participating political parties have up till June 18, 2024, to make any substitution if necessary.
INEC, however, said that campaign activities would kick off on June 19, 2024.
Meanwhile, Aiyedatiwa has stressed the need for unity among members and leaders of the APC in the state for the party to be formidable ahead of the forthcoming election.
Aiyedatiwa, who advised the party’s stakeholders’ at a meeting, at the weekend, stressed that a cohesive and united front is essential for achieving common goals adding that the party remains a united and indivisible family, regardless of individual ambitions and differences.
However, the people of Ayeka community in Okitipupa Local Council have pledged their support for Aiyedatiwa and his administration.
The community leaders, led by Gen. Joseph OluyemiBajowa (rtd), who gave the endorsement during a courtesy visit to the governor in Akure, said the governor had done more than enough to earn the trust and support of the people of the state.
Bajowa also informed the governor that Ayeka kingdom had been under the rule of a regent for many years and urged the governor to intervene in the process to expedite the installation of a new king.
