Ondo Governorship Poll: INEC Releases Names Of 17 Candidates, Date For Commencement Of Campaigns

By Ayodele Oni

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday published names of governorship candidates and their deputies for November poll.

The commission explained in a statement signed by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner & Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, that one of the fielded candidates is a disable person.

Olumekun’s statement clarified that “Overall, 17 political parties are fielding candidates for the election. No political party has nominated a female candidate while one 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.”

It stated  that “The Commission is pleased to announce the publication of the final list of candidates for the Ondo State Governorship Election.

“Following the initial primaries, the Commission published the personal particulars of the Governorship candidates and their running mates in the State and Local Government offices.

“In line with the provision of Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, two  political parties conducted fresh primaries to replace their earlier nominated candidates and their running mates by the deadline of 10th June 2024.

“The parties are the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) while five  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 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.”

On time frame for commencement of campaigns by candidates and political parties, it said “With the publication of the final list of candidates, the next activity is electionering 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.

“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.