By Ayodele Oni
All is now set for the conduct of the Governorship Primary Election of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state.
Sixteen aspirants will be slugging it out to Garner votes from 272,922 party members that will be participating in the governorship primary.
The primary will hold across the 203 political wards.
Already, the party has adopted direct primary to select its standard bearer ahead of the November governorship election in the state.
The 16 aspirants already cleared by the APC Screening Committee include, the incumbent Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Chief Olusola Oke (SAN), Wale Akinterinwa, Isaacs Kekemeke, Funmilayo Waheed-Adekojo, Folakemi Omogoroye, Olusoji Ehinlanwo, John Odimayo, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, and Oladiran Iyanjan.
Others are, Mayowa Akinfolarin, Olugbenga Edema, Prof. Adedayo Faduyile, Brigadier-General Felix Ohunyeye,(rtd) Morayo Lebi and Ifeoluwa Oyedele.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured of its readiness to be part of the exercise.
Mrs.Oluwatoyin Babalola, told journalists in Akure that the APC has notified the commission of intentions to participate in the November election and the date of primaries with the direct mode of the exercise.
The REC noted that the exercise will be monitored by the commission as stipulated by the constitution, and reports will be given based on its observation.
“Basically, the conduct of primary is the responsibility of political parties, and as electoral body, ours is to monitor the activity to ensure they conduct the party’s primary in accordance with the provisions of the electoral law and party’s constitution.
“As regard the APC primary coming up on Saturday, we are ready for the monitoring as the party has adopted the direct mode of primary and we will report based on what we observe.
Speaking on the security arrangement towards ensuring a hitch-free primary election, security chiefs in the state expressed readiness to ensure that the exercise is conducted under a peaceful atmosphere.
The State Commissioner of Police, Abayomi Oladipo, promised that hands are on deck to ensure a free and fair primary election.
The CP who spoke through the state state command spokesperson, Fumilayo Odulami -Omisanya, warned politicians against any act of violence before, during and after the exercise.
“This is not the first time we will be doing primaries and we have improved on so many things.
“We are well acquainted with the electoral law, so we know what to do, and our men are properly trained.
“The major issue should be contestants talking to their people. They should all embrace the spirit of sportsmanship. After the whole primary election, if anybody is not comfortable with whatever happens there, that is why there is a tribunal.
“They should employ only legal means. They should not take to the street or cause trouble in the state. So, the aspirants should talk to their people.”
 in Ondo state. Sixteen aspirants will be slugging it out to Garner votes from 272,922 party members that will be participating in the governorship primary.){kind=link}