After the deadline for the sale of forms, the ruling All Progressives Congress has collected 720 million naira from 16 governorship aspirants competing for the party’s ticket in Ondo State.
The exercise started on March 27 and concluded on April 3, 2024.
The ruling party set the expression of interest form at 10 million naira, while the nomination form was priced at 40 million naira.
However, female aspirants and individuals with disabilities were allowed to only obtain the expression of interest form for free, and the nomination form at no cost.
By the end of the form sale on Wednesday, the party had gathered 720 million naira from 14 male and two female aspirants ahead of the April 20 shadow poll.
Among those who have purchased expression of interest and nomination forms are the incumbent Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; senator representing Ondo South district, Jimoh Ibrahim; APC chieftain, Olusola Oke; former President of Nigerian Medical Association, Prof. Francis Faduyile; Dr Funmi Waheed-Adekojo and APC National Vice Chairman (South West), Isaac Kekemeke.
Others include Akinfolarin Samuel, Olusoji Ehinlanwo, Okunjimi Odimayo, Adewale Akinterinwa, Olugbenga Edema, Gen. Ohunyeye Olamide, Morayo Lebi, Garvey Oladiran Iyanjan, and Ifeoluwa Oyedele.
The party leadership has also announced that all aspirants have until Friday, April 5 to fill and return their forms.
In a related development, the National Working Committee of the APC has chosen to use direct primary to select its Ondo governorship candidate.
This decision was communicated in a letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission to inform them of the party primary in the state.
The letter was signed by the National Chairman of APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, and the National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru.
The Deputy National Organising Secretary, Chidi Duru, further confirmed this development on Wednesday night.
“We are using the direct primary mode of election for Ondo State governorship primary election.
“This decision has equally been conveyed in a letter duly signed by the National Chairman and the National Secretary to the Independent National Electoral Commission that the party has adopted direct mode of election for Ondo State governorship election,” Duru said.
