Ondo Elections: A glance into the 17 Men Contesting on Saturday

The people of Ondo State file to the polls on Saturday 16th November 2024 to vote for the person to lead the State for the next four years. Ondo is one of 8 States where Governorship elections are held off-cycle as a result of various court judgments which adjusted the tenure of elected Governors outside the normal cycle of elections. 

These are the 17 men contesting for the most powerful position in Ondo State:

1. Aiyedatiwa Lucky Orimisan

Aiyedatiwa is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress(APC), a former Deputy Governor and incumbent Governor of the State who took over when the second-term Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN died in office. He was born on 12th January 1965(59 years) in Lagos State and holds a National Certificate of Education (NCE) and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Liverpool. He was until he was elected Deputy Governor in 2020, he was a businessman and a Federal Commissioner representing Ondo State on the Board of Niger Delta Development Commission.

2. Dr Mimiko Olubansile Abbas

Mimiko, whose campaign slogan is ‘Fight for our Future’ is the candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), born on 11th January 1964 (60 years), is a medical doctor, farmer and businessman. His campaign is based on the 7ks of prosperity namely Karije (food security), Karimu (clean water for all), Karina (well-paying jobs for all),  Karika (free secondary and affordable tertiary education), Kanile-Lona (Rural and urban revitalization), Kanilera (free mother and child hospital services) and Kalalaafia (end to insecurity).

3. Akinnodi Ayodeji Emmanuel

Akinnodi under his ‘We All Deserve Better’ campaign, Akinnodi Ayodeji Emmanuel seeks to focus on education, security, infrastructure, electricity, agriculture, youth and women empowerment, tourism and job creation towards ensuring a brighter future for all citizens of Ondo State. Born on 9th May 1985 (39 years), the businessman and Real estate developer holds a Computer Engineering degree from the University of Benin.

4. Olugbenga Omogbemi Edema

Edema Was born on 15th November 1966 (57), in Ogogoro, Ondo State. He has a B.Sc in Geography and an LL.B Law. The Legal Practitioner has served as a member Ondo State House of Assembly from 2011-2015, Commissioner representing Ondo State on the Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) from January 2023-June 2023. He plans to set Ondo State on the autopilot of improved, massive and sustainable service delivery and prosperity for all, as well as rally the people of Ondo State to embrace inclusivity and participatory democracy for innovative, equitable and sustainable governance. The candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) promises to focus on security, education, the economy, infrastructure development, agriculture, tourism and the digital economy.

5. Adegoke Kehinde Paul

Adegoke Kehinde Paul was born on 25th November 1988. At 35 years old, he is one of the youngest candidates in the election. The Youth Party which he is contesting under is the newest political party in Nigeria and this is the first election it is fielding a candidate as it was registered shortly after the 2023 General elections. Adegoke holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology and Security Studies.

6. Alli Babatunde Francis

Alli is the candidate for the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP). Born on 1st March 1974 (50 years), He is contesting under the slogan ‘Ondo Hope 2024’. His campaign is focused on security, economic growth,  tourism, youth development and job creation.

7. Dr. Olorunfemi Ayodele Festus

Olorunfemi was born on 2nd September 1964 (59) in Akoko Ondo State.  He has a PhD in Public Administration and is contesting on a platform to end official corruption and waste of public funds. He was a former General Secretary of the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies. He is the candidate of the Labour Party (LP).

8. Popoola Olatunji Tunde

Popoola Olatunji Tunde is the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). He was born on 14th October 1957 (66 years) in Ikirun.  The businessman and clergy state that he is interested in contributing to the development of Ondo State.

9. Akinmurele John Otitoloju

Otitoloju was born on 20th July 1980 (44 years old) in Ilutitun. The former security personnel holds a bachelor’s degree and is the candidate of the Young Progressive Party (YPP). His campaign is based on a departure from the old order made up of older politicians with his ‘New Dawn’ campaign message. He also has a strong anti-corruption message and plans to improve education, and healthcare and increase the internally Generate Revenue of the State.

10. Ajayi Alfred Agboola

Agboola is a former deputy governor elected under the APC before decamping to the ZLP in 2020 to contest for governorship. He is the candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party in this election. Born in Kiribo on 24th September 1968 (55 years), Ajayi holds a law degree and is a former member of the House of Representatives and former Local Government Chairman. He is campaigning on a seven-point agenda focused on security, agriculture, education, healthcare and infrastructure development, rural development and environment, youth (sports and women) development. He has also promised to implement the 35% affirmative action plan for women.

11. Nejo Adeyemi

Adeyemi is the candidate of the African Democratic Congress(ADC). He was born on 25th November 1981 (42 years old).  Campaigning on the slogan ‘Time to get it Right’, the candidate of  the ADC is the only person with disability contesting in this election and has promised to focus on security, agriculture and healthcare

12. Otunba Akingboye Benson Bamidele

Oba as he is popularly known had contested for primaries under the PDP and after losing, decamped and is the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the Governorship election. Bamidele was born on 2nd April 1965 in Lagos, Nigeria. He is an accountant by profession. He along with his party promise to fix the security challenges in the State and focus on youth empowerment through technology. The SDP candidate and his party also promise a “new social contract between the government and the public – one founded on transparent, prudent and selfless service.”

13. Falaiye Abraham Ajibola

Ajibola was born on 4th May 1960 (64 years old) in Akure and holds a Bachelors degree in political science from Joseph Ayo Babalola University. He is the candidate of the Accord(A) in this election. He is a former assistant to the former Governor, Olusegun Mimiko.

14. Ajayi Adekunle Oluwaseyi

Oluwaseyi is the youngest candidate contesting the election. Born on 15th March 1987, the candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC). The journalist-turned-politician promises to curb the mismanagement of resources, empower youth, and handle problems with agriculture and the environment, healthcare and education.

15. Ogunfeyimi Isaac Kolawole

Born on 23rd September 1948 (75 years old), the oldest candidate in the election and candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM). he promised to focus on agriculture, education and healthcare.

16. Fadoju Amos Babatunde

Babatunde was born on 16th June 1968 and is a trader by profession. He is the candidate of the Action Peoples Party (APP) in the governorship election.

17. Akinuli Fred Omolere

Omolere is the candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) and was born on 11th July 1960 (63 years).

Cite this article

APA: adminTheCJID. (2024). Ondo Elections: A glance into the 17 Men Contesting on Saturday. CJID. Retrieved from https://thecjid.org/ondo-elections-a-glance-into-the-17-men-contesting-on-saturday/

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