Ondo electorates will today head to the polls to elect the next governor in what promises to be a competitive contest among key political parties.
The major candidates in the race include Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the ruling All Progressives Congress; Bamidele Akingboye of the Social Democratic Party; Olusola Ebiseni of the Labour Party; and Hon. Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party. Other contenders include Abbas Mimiko of the Zenith Labour Party, bringing the total number of candidates to 17, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The governorship election, which takes place across all 18 Local Government Areas of the state, has drawn widespread attention due to its implications for political alignments in the Southwest.
Out of 2,053,061 registered voters in Ondo State, INEC confirmed that 1,793,914 have collected their Permanent Voter Cards and are eligible to participate in today’s election. This figure marks a significant increase from the 1,478,460 eligible voters in the 2020 governorship election.
Additionally, INEC reported that 58,708 new voters were registered in Ondo State ahead of this election, while 3,132 voters transferred their registration into or within the state.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, seeking re-election under the APC, faces stiff competition from his rivals. Bamidele Akingboye of the SDP has campaigned on promises of economic reforms, while the Labour Party’s Olusola Ebiseni has emphasized grassroots development. Agboola Ajayi of the PDP, a former deputy governor, seeks to leverage his experience in governance to clinch victory.
INEC has assured voters of its preparedness for a credible, free, and fair election. Security agencies have deployed over 30,000 personnel to ensure a peaceful exercise, while anti-corruption agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission will monitor for instances of vote buying and other electoral malpractices.
Observers from various organizations, including international bodies and NGOs, will oversee the process to ensure transparency and inclusivity. ElectHER, a gender advocacy group, is also participating with 150 observers across the state to collect gender-centric data and promote inclusivity in the electoral process.
The stakes are high as Ondo residents decide who will steer the state’s affairs for the next four years, with expectations of improved governance and development.
