The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that no fewer than 19 political parties have notified the commission about the conduct of their primaries for the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo State, News About Nigeria reports.
The commission had previously scheduled April for the party primaries, with the main governorship election slated for November 16, 2024, in the state.
Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ondo State, disclosed this during a meeting with representatives of political parties at the commission’s office in Akure on Thursday.
According to Babalola, the political parties that have notified the commission include prominent ones such as the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Accord Party, Action Alliance, African Action Congress, African Democratic Congress, African Democratic Party, and All Progressives Grand Alliance.
Others on the list are the Allied Peoples Movement, Action Peoples Party, Boot Party, Labour Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party, National Rescue Movement, Peoples Redemption Party, Social Democratic Party, Youth Party, Young Progressives Party, and Zenith Labour Party.
Babalola urged all political parties to strictly adhere to their guidelines, rules, and regulations, as well as electoral laws, during the conduct of their primaries next month.
Meanwhile, as the APC in Ondo State prepares for its primary election next month, a group known as the Omoluabi Coalition Group has advised the party to conduct a thorough screening of aspirants.
The group stressed the importance of selecting the most qualified candidate for the November 16 governorship election.
Comrade Tunji Balogun, the Director-General of the Omoluabi Coalition Group, recommended Chief Olusola Oke as the most suitable candidate among the aspirants.
Balogun described Oke as a grassroots politician who possesses a deep understanding of the state, making him the preferred choice for the governorship candidacy.
