Leading up to the November 16, 2024, gubernatorial election in Ondo State, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has unveiled its timetable and activities outline culminating in the selection of a candidate on April 25, 2024.
Signed by the party’s National Organizing Secretary, Sulaimon Argungu, the APC timetable, disclosed late Monday, delineates the sales period for nomination and expression of interest forms, commencing on April 3 and concluding on April 10, 2024. The primary election is scheduled for April 25, 2024.
Echoing the structure of its recent Edo State gubernatorial primary, where Monday Okpebholo emerged as the flag bearer, the APC has set the price for expression of interest and nomination forms at N10m and N40m respectively for Ondo State.
The party has specified that female aspirants and individuals with disabilities will cover the cost of the expression of interest, while the nomination form is exempt from charges.
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“Youths aged 25 to 40 will acquire expression of interest forms at a 50% discount on nomination forms,” the APC declared.
Among the prominent contenders for the APC ticket in Ondo are Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, former Ondo deputy governor, who assumed office following the demise of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu on December 27, 2023. Additionally, a former Commissioner for Finance in the state, Wale Akinterinwa, and Senator representing Ondo South, Jimoh Ibrahim, are vying for the party’s endorsement.
Ondo and Edo are among the eight states with gubernatorial elections occurring off-season due to legal disputes and court rulings. The other states include Anambra, Bayelsa, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, and Osun.
The political arena is already heating up in these two states ahead of the forthcoming gubernatorial polls. While 19 political parties are anticipated to field candidates, the competition is likely to evolve into two or three major contenders, mirroring past electoral dynamics.
