As the 2024 Ondo State governorship election approaches, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has taken a significant step by publishing the final list of candidates and their running mates. This announcement was made by Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, in a detailed statement issued in Abuja on Thursday.
Olumekun highlighted that the personal particulars of the candidates and their running mates have been officially published at INEC state and local government offices across Ondo State. This crucial move is part of the commission’s efforts to ensure transparency and provide the electorate with essential information ahead of the upcoming election.
In his statement, Olumekun revealed that two political parties, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP), had conducted fresh primaries to replace their initially nominated candidates and their running mates. This action was taken to meet the deadline of June 10, as stipulated by Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2022. These fresh primaries were necessary to align with the legal provisions and ensure that all parties field candidates who meet the requirements and expectations set forth by the law.
With the nomination process now concluded, political parties are officially allowed to commence their public campaigns starting from Wednesday, June 19, until the midnight of November 14. This marks the beginning of a critical phase in the election process, where candidates and their parties will engage with the electorate, presenting their visions and plans for the future of Ondo State.
Olumekun, in his statement, emphasized the importance of conducting these campaigns with civility and decorum. He reminded candidates, their agents, and supporters of the provisions of the law and INEC’s guidelines governing campaign activities. “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 Sections 92-97 of the Electoral Act 2022,” he stated.
This call for respectful and law-abiding campaign practices is crucial to maintaining peace and order during the election period. INEC’s guidelines are designed to ensure that the campaigns are conducted in a manner that fosters healthy competition and allows voters to make informed decisions based on the candidates’ platforms and policies.
The Ondo State Governorship Election is scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 16, 2024. As the date approaches, the electorate will be closely monitoring the campaigns, evaluating the candidates’ promises, and making decisions that will shape the future of their state. The publication of the final list of candidates and the commencement of the campaign period are significant milestones in this democratic process, setting the stage for a robust and competitive election.
Below is the list of candidates who will be vying for the governorship of Ondo State in the upcoming election:
