Victor Ezeja
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Screening and Appeal Committee for the Ondo State governorship election 2024 has cleared the incumbent Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa and 15 others to participate in the upcoming primary election of the party.
The seven-member committee headed by former lawmaker representing Gombe South, Senator Joshua Lidani, and Bimbo Daramola as secretary, was inaugurated by APC Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru, on behalf of the national chairman Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, at the party’s national headquarters Abuja on Friday, 12 April 2024.
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The primary election is scheduled to take place on 20 April while the governorship election will hold on 11 November 2024.
According to a report of the screening exercise, all the 16 aspirants were cleared, out of which two were women. Aside from Governor Aiyedatiwa, other aspirants include Duerimini Isaac Kekemeke, Olusoji Adewale Ehinlanwo, Olugbenga Omogbemi Edema, Jimoh lbrahim Folorunsho, Waheed-Adekojo Funmilayo, Akinfolarin Mayo Samuel, Adewale Olumuyiwa Akinterinwa, Chief Olusola Alexander Oke, SAN, Ohunyeye Olamide Felix, Barr. Morayo Lebi, Garvey Oladiran lyanjan, Prof. Francis Adebayo Faduyile, Engr. Omogoroye Folakemi Judith, Engr. Ifeoluwa Olusola Oyedele, and Hon. Omo’Oba Okunjimi Odimayo John.
The report said the objectives of the exercise were to assess the eligibility of aspirants vying for the Ondo State Gubernatorial election, ensure adherence to the electoral guidelines, rules and regulations set by the party in line with the party’s Constitution and the electoral law, and to maintain the integrity and transparency of the election process.
The report said that to assess the aspirants, the Screening Committee followed a structured and meticulous process including reviewing their documents containing personal information, educational qualifications, political party membership, and previous electoral history; in-person interviews with the aspirants and assessment of their level of support from wards, community leaders and other relevant stakeholders.
It further said that in order for the party to win the 2024 Ondo State Gubernatorial election, Committee made some recommendations based on their interactions and findings from the aspirants. Among others, the committee recommended that the party should ensure that the primary election is free, fair and credible with no room for imposition of any candidate.
“All aspirants demonstrated their willingness to support any aspirant that emerges as the Party’s standard bearer for the November 11, 2024 Gubernatorial election in Ondo State. This desire and commitment should be followed by the Party hierarchy both at the National and State levels, to avoid any future anti-party activity.
“The Committee urged the party to ensure that the primary election is free, fair and credible with no room for imposition of candidate.
“The National leadership of the party should put mechanism in place for dispute resolution before, during and after the primary election,” it said.
