By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
The incumbent governor of Ondo state Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been confirmed as the flag bearer of the ruling party as Chief Ajayi Agboola of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Olorunfemi Ayodele of the Labour Party (LP) and Akingboye Benson of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) are among 17 that made the final list of the governorship candidates for the November 16 elections in Ondo state.
Prompt News reports that the list was released on Friday in Abuja by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and according to a statement by the Commission, the public campaign for the election would officially open on Wednesday, July 19, 2204 and close 24 hours before the elections.
The list of 17 candidates and their deputies did not contain any woman while the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is the only candidate with disability just as the 35-year-old Adegoke Paul of Youth Party (YP) the youngest candidate.
Party (NNPP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) while five (5) parties replaced their running mates only. They are the African Action Congress (AAC), the Action Democratic Party (ADP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
The statement read in parts:
“Overall, seventeen (17) political parties are fielding candidates for the election. No political party has nominated a female candidate while one (1) candidate nominated by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is a person with disability (a paraplegic). The final list also gives the breakdown of the candidates by age and academic qualifications.
“The list has been published at our office in Akure and also uploaded to our website and social media platforms for public information.
“With the publication of the final list of candidates, the next activity is electioneering campaign.
“As provided by Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, campaign by Political Parties in public shall commence not earlier than 150 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day.
“Therefore, Political Parties are now permitted to start campaign in public from Wednesday 19th June 2024 and end at midnight on Thursday 14th November 2024 as indicated in items 8 and 12 of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election.
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“As parties commence this critical phase of the election, the Commission once again reminds candidates, agents and their supporters of the provision of the law and the Commission’s guidelines governing such activity.
“For emphasis, parties shall conduct their campaigns with civility and decorum devoid of inciting language, violence, voter inducement and other infractions in accordance with the provisions of Section 92-97 of the Electoral Act 2022.
“The Ondo State Governorship Election is scheduled to hold on Saturday 16th November 2024”.
