The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the names as well as the particulars of 16 candidates and their running mates that will contest the governorship election in Ondo State on November 16.
The list, Form EC9, which was pasted at the Ondo State headquarters of the electoral body as well as the 18 local council offices of the commission, had the personal details and academic credentials of candidates and their running mates.
The development indicated that the 16 political parties met the May 20, INEC deadline for the submission of candidates’ lists by the participating political parties.
The governorship candidates and their running mates include All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates Lucky Aiyedatiwa, 59, Deputy Governor Olayide Adelami, 66; the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Agboola Ajayi, 55, Deputy Governor Samuel Ogunmusi, 53.
Others are Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Abbas Mimiko, 60, Deputy Governor Morgan Fadoju, 54; Labour Party (LP), Festus Olorunfemi, Deputy Governor, 59, Deputy Governor, Olubukola Adu, 52; and Young Progressives Party (YPP), Otitoloju Akinmurele, 43; Deputy Governor, Ayodele Obe.
Also included in the published list is 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, Raheed Ibrahim, 56; and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Oluwatosin Ayeni, 35, Deputy Governor Abigail Omoyugbo, 44.
Other 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, INEC has disclosed that the participating political parties have until June 18 to make any substitutions for their candidates if necessary.
According to the electoral body, the deadline is crucial as it allows for the proper finalisation of the list of candidates that will appear on the ballot during the election.
Following the publication of the list, INEC revealed that campaign activities for the November gubernatorial election will kick off on June 19.
