The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will hold its governorship primary election today at the International Culture and Events Centre in Akure, the state capital.
Seven aspirants have been cleared to contest in the indirect primary election, including former deputy governor Agboola Ajayi, Bamidele Akingboye, Adeolu Akinwumi, Sola Ebiseeni, John Mafo, Kolade Akinjo, and Bosun Arebuwa, News About Nigeria reports.
According to the Publicity Secretary of the PDP in the state, Kennedy Peretei, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, will lead the seven-person committee overseeing the primary election.
Peretei said 627 delegates from the 18 local government areas of the state would participate in the election. Delegates will start getting accredited at 10:00 AM, he added.
Recall that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa was declared the winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election and the party’s candidate for the upcoming governorship election on Monday.
The election, which was held on Saturday, saw Aiyedatiwa amass 48,569 votes, followed by Mayowa Akinfolarin with 15,343 votes and Olusola Oke with 14,865 votes.
The Chairman of the Primary Election Committee and Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo, praised the electoral process as “smooth” with only minor issues recorded.
Four years ago, in the 2020 Ondo State governorship election, 17 candidates vied for the top seat.
The major contenders included Rotimi Akeredolu (APC) with Lucky Aiyedatiwa as his running mate, Eyitayo Jegede (PDP) with Gboluga Ikengboju, and Agboola Ajayi (ZLP) with Gboye Adegbenro.
Other candidates who participated in the polls were Adedapo Benjamin Adelegan (ADC) and Dotun Ojon (YPP).
Notably, all 17 candidates were male, while two of the deputy governorship candidates were female.
Incumbent Governor Rotimi Akeredolu emerged victorious, securing a second term with 51.1% of the votes.
Eyitayo Jegede trailed behind with 34.2%, followed by Agboola Ajayi with 12.1%.
