The Independent National Electoral Commission has published the final list of candidates for the Ondo State Governorship Election slated November 16th, 2024.
A statement signed by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee Sam Olumekun, on Thursday 13th June 2024 said the publication followed the initial primaries held in the state, noting that both the personal particulars of the Governorship candidates and their running mates are displayed in its State and Local Government offices in line with the provision of Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2022.
The statement also revealed that two (2) political parties such as the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) conducted fresh primaries to replace their earlier nominated candidates and their running mates by the deadline of 10th June 2024, while five (5) parties, 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) replaced their running mates only.
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 Akure office and uploaded to our website and social media platforms for public information.
On the commencement of the campaign by political parties, the commission however states that,
As provided by Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, campaigns by Political Parties in public shall commence not earlier than 150 days before polling day and end 24 hours before that day.
Therefore, Political Parties are now permitted to start the 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.
Meanwhile, all political parties, candidates, agents, and their supporters are enjoined to abide by the electoral law in this critical phase of the election, devoid of inciting language, violence, voter inducement, and other infractions by the provisions of Section 92-97 of the Electoral Act 2022.