The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cleared 17 candidates to contest Saturday’s off-cycle governorship election in Ondo State, representing diverse political ideologies and aspirations for the state’s future.
Leading the pack is Lucky Ayedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who currently serves as the incumbent governor following the death of former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu in December 2023.
Ayedatiwa, who holds degrees from the University of Ibadan and the University of Liverpool, has centered his campaign on continuity and administrative experience.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) fields Agboola Ajayi, 56, a lawyer and former deputy governor during Akeredolu’s first term. With his background as a federal legislator,
Ajayi’s campaign emphasizes economic development, security, and justice.
Falaiye Ajibola, the 64-year-old Accord Party candidate and Ekiti State University graduate, campaigns alongside his running mate Samuel Ikuyajolu, focusing on economic development and social welfare initiatives.
The Action Alliance presents Akinuli Omolere, a successful entrepreneur and CEO of Lery Hago, who emerged victorious in the party’s primary with 45 out of 73 valid votes. Adeyemi Oluwatoyin joins him as running mate.
Ajayi Adekunle of the African Action Congress (AAC), known for his activism and poetry, campaigns on reform and grassroots activism, with Dada David as his running mate.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presents 40-year-old Nejo Adeyemi, a legal practitioner and prince from the Mahin Kingdom, who prioritizes good governance, educational reform, and infrastructure development, with Ibrahim Olaide as running mate.
Akinnodi Ayodeji, 39, representing the Action Democratic Party (ADP), brings his computer engineering background from the University of Benin and UK real estate development expertise to the race, with Moyosola Olorunmonu as running mate.
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate, 66-year-old Olatunji Popoola, leverages his experience as former chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council in Osun State, running alongside 40-year-old political strategist Taiwo Adedeji.
Labour Party’s Olorunfemi Ayodele, 59, a former union leader with a degree from Prowess University, USA, campaigns for worker rights and social equity with Olabisi Adu.
The New Nigeria Peoples Party fields Olugbenga Edema, a lawyer and philanthropist from Ilaje, while the Social Democratic Party presents entrepreneur Akingboye Bamidele, who brings over 40 years of business experience.
Young Progressives Party’s Otitoloju Akinmurele advocates for reform and resource development, particularly in bitumen exploitation, while Zenith Labour Party’s Abbas Mimiko, a psychiatrist and brother to former Governor Olusegun Mimiko, emphasizes education and security.
The candidate list also includes Ogunfeyimi Kolawole (Allied Peoples Movement), Fadoju Babatunde (Action People’s Party), and Francis Alli (Peoples Redemption Party), completing the roster of aspirants seeking to lead Ondo State.
