Following the Wednesday deadline for its sales of expression of interest and nomination forms, the ruling All Progressives Congress has raised N720m from 16 governorship aspirants jostling for the party’s ticket in Ondo State.
The exercise, which started on March 27, ended on Wednesday, April 3, 2024.
The ruling party pegged the expression of interest form at N10m, while the nomination form went for N40m.
However, female aspirants and persons with disabilities were given concession to only procure the expression of interest form while the nomination form is free.
At the close of sales of forms on Wednesday, the party succeeded in realising N720m from 14 male and two female aspirants ahead of the April 20 shadow poll.
Among those who have so far purchased the expression of interest and nomination forms include the incumbent Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; senator representing Ondo South district, Jimoh Ibrahim; APC chieftain, Olusola Oke; former President of Nigerian Medical Association, Prof. Francis Faduyile; Dr Funmi Waheed-Adekojo and APC National Vice Chairman (South West), Isaac Kekemeke.
Others are Akinfolarin Samuel, Olusoji Ehinlanwo, Okunjimi Odimayo, Adewale Akinterinwa, Olugbenga Edema and Gen. Ohunyeye Olamide, Morayo Lebi, Garvey Oladiran Iyanjan, and Ifeoluwa Oyedele.
Meanwhile, the leadership of the ruling party has disclosed that all the aspirants have till Friday, April 5 to fill and return their forms..
In a related development, the National Working Committee of the APC has settled for direct primary to pick its Ondo governorship candiate.
This was disclosed in a letter sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission to notify it of the party primary in the state.
The letter, which was sighted by our correspondent, was jointly signed by the National Chairman of APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje; and his National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru.
The development was further confirmed by the Deputy National Organising Secretary, Chidi Duru, on Wednesday night.
“We are using the direct primary mode of election for Ondo State governorship primary election.
“This decision has equally been conveyed in a letter duly signed by the National Chairman and the National Secretary to the Independent National Electoral Commission that the party has adopted direct mode of election for Ondo State governorship election,” Duru said.
PUNCH
