The Independent National Electoral Commission announced on Monday that sensitive materials for the upcoming Ondo State Governorship election, scheduled for Saturday, November 16, 2024, have arrived in Akure, the state capital.
The materials, conveyed by the Nigerian Air Force, were received by officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria to ensure their safekeeping until distribution to polling units.
INEC confirmed the development in a post on its official X account, tagged with the hashtag #OndoDecides2024.
Seventeen political parties are vying for the governorship seat, each with candidates bringing diverse backgrounds and experiences. However, INEC data revealed a notable gender gap, with no female candidates among the contenders.
The youngest of the candidates is Adegoke Kehinde, a 35-year-old representing the Youth Party, while the oldest is Ogunfeyimi Isaac, a 75-year-old candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement.
Among the candidates is 42-year-old Nejo Adeyemi of the African Democratic Congress, who identifies as a person with a disability — a significant milestone that underscores inclusivity in the race.
Many of the candidates hail from the southern senatorial district of Ondo State, though a select few have emerged as frontrunners based on public and political analysts’ views.
One of the prominent candidates is incumbent governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress , who is seeking re-election to complete a second term.
Agboola Ajayi of the People’s Democratic Party a former Deputy Governor from 2016 to 2020, is another strong contender, aiming to step into the state’s top role.
Also in the race is Olusola Ebiseni of the Labour Party, a former commissioner and notable Afenifere chieftain. Businessman Bamidele Akingboye, representing the Social Democratic Party is fulfilling a lifelong ambition following his transition from the PDP.
Dr. Abass Mimiko of the Zenith Labour Party, the younger brother of former Governor Olusegun Mimiko, is advocating his “7 Keys Agenda” as the blueprint to propel Ondo State forward.
