Residents of Ondo State will file out on Saturday to elect the next governor, 11 months after the death of former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
Data from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) indicates that 18 governorship candidates will be participating in the election.
The candidates include:
Falaiye Abraham Ajibola (A), Akinuli Fred Omolere (AA), Ajayi Adekunle Oluwaseyi (AAC), Nejo Adeyemi (ADC), Akinnodi Ayodeji Emmanuel (ADP), Aiyedatiwa Lucky Orimisan (APC), Popoola Olatunji Tunde (APGA), Ogunfeyimi Isaac Kolawole (APM), Fadoju Amos Babatunde (APP), Ebiseni Olusola Nehemiah (LP), Olugbemiga Omogbemi Edema (NNPP), Ajaunoko Funmilayo Jenyo (NRM), Ajayi Alfred Agboola (PDP), Alli Babatunde Francis (PRP), Akingboye Benson Bamidele (SDP), Adegoke Kehinde Paul (YP), Akinmurele John Otitoloju (YPP), Mimiko Olubansile Abbas (ZLP).
While residents decide on the next governor, DAILY POST highlights the four top candidates going into Saturday’s poll:
Lucky Aiyedatiwa – All Progressives Congress (APC)
Aiyedatiwa took over the mantle of leadership in the state following Akeredolu’s death in 2023.
The former deputy governor hails from Obe-Nla, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State. While Akeredolu was ill and battling cancer, Aiyedatiwa stepped in as Acting Governor.
In December 2023, Aiyedatiwa was sworn in as Ondo State governor following Akeredolu’s death.
In his campaign manifesto, Aiyedatiwa emphasized security, economy, agriculture, infrastructure, youth, education, and women empowerment.
Agboola Ajayi – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
Ajayi was the deputy governor to Akeredolu during his first tenure before their eventual fallout.
Following the fallout, Ajayi joined the Zenith Labour Party to contest in the last election but lost.
He later defected to the PDP and emerged as the party’s governorship candidate.
The 54-year-old focuses on security, agriculture, health, education, industry, marine economic development, rural development, environment, youth, sports, social welfare, women development, and civil service reform.
Olorunfemi Festus– Labour Party (LP)
Barely 24 to the polls, the Independent National Electoral Commission reinstated Olorunfemi Festus to replace Olusola Ebiseni as the Labour Party’s candidate for today’s (Saturday) governorship election in Ondo State, following a ruling of the Court of Appeal.
The decision came after the Court of Appeal in Abuja upturned a judgment by the Federal High Court, which had on September 27, 2024, ordered INEC to accept Olusola Ebiseni as the LP’s candidate.
Abbas Mimiko – Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)
Abbas is the younger brother of former Governor Olusegun Mimiko.
The medical psychiatrist has pledged to focus on a seven-point agenda, including food security, portable water, wealth creation, education, a mass housing scheme, health, and peace and security.
Meanwhile, DAILY POST will provide situation reports from the state as events unfold.