INEC publishes final candidate list for Ondo governorship election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the final list of candidates and their running mates for the upcoming Ondo State governorship election scheduled for November 16.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, Sam Olumekun, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, confirmed the publication of the candidates’ personal particulars.

These details have been displayed at INEC state and local government offices across Ondo State.

Olumekun noted that, in accordance with Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, two political parties—the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP)—conducted fresh primaries to replace their initial candidates and running mates by the June 10 deadline.

Additionally, five parties—the African Action Congress (AAC), the Action Democratic Party (ADP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)—replaced their running mates only.

“Overall, 17 political parties are fielding candidates for the election. No political party has nominated a female candidate, while one candidate nominated by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is a person with disability (a paraplegic),” Olumekun said.

The final list includes a breakdown of candidates by age and academic qualifications. This list has been made available at INEC’s office in Akure and has also been uploaded to the Commission’s website and social media platforms for public access.

With the conclusion of the nomination process, political parties are now authorized to begin public campaigns from Wednesday, June 19, until midnight on November 14. Olumekun reminded candidates, their agents, and supporters to conduct their campaigns with civility and decorum, avoiding inciting language, violence, voter inducement, and other violations as outlined in Sections 92-97 of the Electoral Act 2022.

“As parties commence this critical phase of the election, the Commission once again reminds all stakeholders of the legal provisions and the Commission’s guidelines governing such activities,” Olumekun emphasized.