The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that nineteen political parties have submitted details of their candidates for the upcoming November 16 governorship election in Ondo State.
The disclosure was made by the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Oluwatoyin Babalola, during a meeting with political party representatives at the commission’s office in Akure, the state capital.
Babalola revealed that the concerned parties duly notified the commission about conducting their primaries for the governorship election in the state. Among the political parties that have notified INEC are the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Accord Party (AP), Action Alliance (AA), African Action Congress (AAC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), African Democratic Party (ADP), and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Other parties include the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Action Peoples Party (APP), Boot Party (BP), Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), National Rescue Movement (NRM), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Youth Party (YP), Young Progressives Party (YPP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
The REC further informed that the commission received notification from the political parties regarding the conduct of primaries for the governorship election exercise scheduled to take place from April 6 to 27.
Addressing the representatives, Babalola emphasized the crucial role of political parties in ensuring the success and integrity of the electoral process. She urged all parties to strictly adhere to the guidelines, rules, and regulations outlined in their constitutions and all electoral laws during the conduct of their primaries next month.
Furthermore, Babalola advised parties to prioritize the principle of internal democracy in their primaries to mitigate tension, division, and potential pre-election disputes that may arise afterward. The meeting served as an opportunity for INEC to engage with political parties on the upcoming primaries, marking a significant milestone in the democratic journey of the state.
