The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has garnered a total of N720 million from 16 gubernatorial hopefuls vying for the party's ticket in Ondo State, following the conclusion of the sales of expression of interest and nomination forms on Wednesday.
The sales exercise, which commenced on March 27, came to a close on Wednesday, April 3, 2024.
Notably, the APC set the expression of interest form at N10 million, while the nomination form was priced at N40 million. However, female aspirants and individuals with disabilities were granted concessions, with only the expression of interest form required for them.
As the deadline for form purchase elapsed on Wednesday, the party confirmed the total revenue of N720 million from 14 male and two female contenders, ahead of the scheduled April 20 shadow poll.
Among the notable aspirants who procured both expression of interest and nomination forms are the incumbent Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Senator Jimoh Ibrahim representing Ondo South district; APC stalwart Olusola Oke; former President of the Nigerian Medical Association, Prof. Francis Faduyile; Dr. Funmi Waheed-Adekojo; and APC National Vice Chairman (South West), Isaac Kekemeke, alongside others.
Furthermore, the APC leadership disclosed that all aspirants have until Friday, April 5, to complete and submit their forms.
In a related development, the National Working Committee of the APC has opted for a direct primary to select its gubernatorial candidate in Ondo State, as communicated in a letter addressed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The letter, jointly signed by APC National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje and National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru, confirmed the party's decision to adopt the direct mode of election for the Ondo State gubernatorial primary.
Deputy National Organising Secretary Chidi Duru reaffirmed this decision, stating, "We are using the direct primary mode of election for Ondo State governorship primary election."
