As the race for Ondo State governorship election draws near, it comes up in November 2024, and as the tenure of Governor Aiyedatiwa who took over power following the demise of former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu is gradually coming to an end, different aspirants have showed interest in governing the sunshine state come February 2025 when the people of Ondo State go to the polls to vote for their next governor .
Each political party with its candidate has proved that they are ready to contest the upcoming primary election which will berth the flagbearer of their party that will represent them in the general election come November 2024. Already, in APC Ondo Camp, Aiyedatiwa has been notified of not getting an automatic ticket, and this makes the race even more interesting, filled with intrigues. Recently, one of the APC aspirants, Dr. Paul Akintelure was deceased, he died in Lagos. He was rated one of the leading aspirants who has been a running mate of late Akeredolu since 2012 but these won’t stop other aspirants from stepping up their ambition. FAKEYE ADERONKE brings you list of eighteen aspirant to watch out for in Ondo State governorship race.
LUCKY AIYEDATIWA
He is presently the governor of the state presently. Though the party has made it’s intention clear that he won’t get an automatic ticket to contest for the seat after his tenure must have elapsed in February 2025. From Ilaje in Ondo State, he was the Deputy Governor of the state under Rotimi Akeredolu’s second tenure and upon his demise in December 2023, Aiyedatiwa became the governor of the state. Aiyedatiwa is the MD/CEO of blue Wall Group of Companies. He joined active politics in 2011.
OTUNBA BAMIDELE AKINGBOYE
He is also another contender to watch out for in the Ondo State governorship race. He is contesting under the People’s Democratic Party. He is an entrepreneur of about 4 decades and he believe he’ll get the ticket under PDP.
JIMOH IBRAHIM
Senator JIMOH IBRAHIM is currently the Senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District at the National Assembly. He is the Chairman of Global Fleet Group which cuts across Oil and Gas, Hospitality, airlines, banking, real Estate to mention but few. He has since showed interest to contest for the number one seat of the state.
OLUSOLA OKE (SAN)
He is a lawyer by profession and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria at that. He hails from Ilaje with an intimidating legal career. His contributions to the development of Ondo State cannot be underestimated. He has once contested under the PDP and has proved that he is not relenting in his ambition.
WALE AKINTERINWA
Wale AKINTERINWA hails from Ile Oluji of Ondo State. A former Commissioner for Finance in the state. He is an experienced investment banker by profession and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and associates of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria. According to him, Akeredolu anointed him to succeed him but as the race unfolds, only time will tell if he gets the ticket of APC.
ENGR. ADEOLU AKINWUNMI
He is another aspirant to watch out for. Adeolu AKINWUNMI is contesting under the PDP. He was a former aid of Governor Mimiko then. An engineer by profession and expert in electrical and electronic engineering. He has worked in various organizations both in Nigeria and overseas.
PROF. IBRAHIM AJAGUNA
He just recently dumped the All Progressive Congress Party due to their differences and pitched the ticket of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP). For now, he is the only one who has showed interest in NNPP in the state. If he will get an automatic ticket, only time will tell.
PRINCE JOHN MAFO
He is another aspirant to watch out for in the race for the number one position in Ondo State. A former Commissioner for information and strategy in the state and a philanthropist. To him, Ondo State needs a visionary leader that will take the state to enviable heights.
AGBOOLA AJAYI
He is the former Deputy Governor under Rotimi Akeredolu’s first tenure. They had issues when he declared his intention to run for the governorship position in the state alongside with his principal and boss. He is contesting now under the PDP. He hails from Ese Odo part of the state and he is leaving no stone unturned to make sure he contest with the ruling party.
BOSUN AREGBUWA
He is a Chartered Accountant of high repute. He has promised to bring hope to the state through the vision of empowering the youths through trainings and development if he wins. Though he runs not a do or die politics as he has promised to support the party in his own capacity.
BRIG. GEN.OLUMIDE OHUNYEYE
He is a retired Brigadier General. General OHUNYEYE has since promised that if he becomes the governor, there will be Agricultural adjustment and development in the state. He promised to leverage on his military experience in bringing security to the state which he believes is a priority.
HON. SHEBA ABAYOMI
He has been an astute politician over the years. His political career started in 1992 when he contested under the social democratic party to represent Irele at the house of Representatives. He has joined the PDP family in the state to contest for the seat of the governor. He joined the party in 1999 and he has remained faithful. He is a lawyer by profession but has never ceased to show his interest in politics from time immemorial.
PRINCE ENIOLA OJAJUNI
Prince Joseph Eniola Ojajuni is contesting for the seat of the Governor in Ondo State. Labour Party has become the party of the youth and with the way things are going, the party is taking the right path as the Aspirant has began the state tour round the twenty local government of the state. With Prince OJAJUNI in the race as he represent the youths in the state, the race is getting interesting by the day. We all know labour party is the party of the Youths. According to him, he already has well detailed plan for the state’s Youths. In his early Forties, OJAJUNI has promised development in education, Agriculture, Healthcare, improved Economy, Social welfare and improved power sector.
ISAAC KEKEMEKE
Hon. Isaac Kekemeke is the All Progressive Congress National Vice Chairman ( Southwest). In has been in the race for quite sometime now. He contested in the last Election but lost at the Primary level.This former Secretary to the state Government, former attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and former member of the state house Assembly has what it takes to rule the Sunshine state as he said with his first hand political experienced, he is leaving no stone unturned to make sure he wins at the Primary level.
OMOBA JIMI ODIMAYO.
Omoba Odimayo also has picked the APC ticket to contest the seat of The Governor in the state. No doubt that Odimayo is one of the leading Aspirants amongst APC Aspirants in the state. With his Entrepreneurship skills, is it believed that he will take the state to greater height. He is the Chairman of Arowolo group of companies. Already the big wigs in the state are in support of his ambition.
AMB. OLUSOLA IJI
He is the former Ambassador of Nigeria to Togo and the former state chairman of APC Ondo State and regarded as one of the chieftains of the ruling party. It is believed that his political experience in Politics and social welfare has proved that he can lead the Sunshine state.
PROF ADEDAYO FADUYILE
He is regarded as Proffesor of Medicine. He is also the former President of Nigeria Medical Association and he has vowed to improve the health sector of the state if he wins the general Election. Faduyile has vowed not to step down for anyone as he classified himself as the best man to occupy the seat of the state . He was the Special Adviser to Governor Akeredolu on health matters. He is looking out to the improved health sector, Education and Economic development of the state.
HON. MAYOWA AKINFOLARIN.
He is another aspirants to beat. He is contesting under the APC platform. Akinfolarin was a former Deputy Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly with the Longest tenure as the speaker. He was also a two term House of Representatives member. He regarded himself as the the most qualified and experienced amongst all the aspirants to govern the state.
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