The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has successfully garnered a total of N720 million from 16 gubernatorial hopefuls vying for the party’s ticket in Ondo State.
Following the conclusion of the sales of expression of interest and nomination forms on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, the APC revealed that 14 male and 2 female aspirants participated in the process.
The party set the expression of interest form at N10 million, with the nomination form priced at N40 million. However, female aspirants and individuals with disabilities were granted concession to only purchase the expression of interest form, while the nomination form was made available to them free of charge.
Notable figures among the aspirants who have acquired both the expression of interest and nomination forms include the incumbent Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Senator Jimoh Ibrahim representing Ondo South district; Olusola Oke, a prominent APC chieftain; former President of the Nigerian Medical Association, Prof. Francis Faduyile; Dr. Funmi Waheed-Adekojo; and APC National Vice Chairman (South West), Isaac Kekemeke, among others.
The APC leadership disclosed that all aspirants have until Friday, April 5, to complete and submit their forms.
In another development, the National Working Committee of the APC has opted for direct primary to select its gubernatorial candidate for Ondo State.
This decision was communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) via a letter jointly signed by the National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, and the National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru. Deputy National Organising Secretary, Chidi Duru, confirmed the adoption of the direct primary mode for the Ondo State governorship election.