Ahead of the November 2024 governorship election in Ondo State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have amassed over N800 million from selling expression of interest and nomination forms.
In total, 18 aspirants from both parties have expressed interest in contesting the primaries, with more expected to join before the approaching deadlines.
The APC has seen 11 aspirants obtain the N50 million expression of interest and nomination forms, collectively contributing N510 million to the party’s coffers.
Notable contenders include Chief Olusola Oke, Gbenga Edema, Isaacs Kekemeke, Jimoh Ibrahim, the incumbent governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and Wale Akinteriwa.
Interestingly, the sole female aspirant, Funmi Waheed-Adekojo, was exempted from paying for the nomination form but paid N10 million for the expression of interest.
Meanwhile, the PDP has generated N259 million from the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms, with seven aspirants vying for the party’s ticket.
Among them are former deputy governor Agboola Ajayi, ex-general secretary of Afenifere Sola Ebiseni, and John Ola Mafo.
The PDP’s primary election will be conducted through the indirect mode, where delegates elected at ward and local government levels will choose the party’s candidate.
In contrast, the APC has opted for a direct mode for its primary, with the sale of forms slated to commence on April 3 and end on April 10.
