The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has assured party members, aspirants and leaders of a free, fair and credible primary election slated for April 20 ahead of the Ondo State governorship election scheduled for November 16.
Deputy national organising secretary of the APC, Nze Chidi Duru, spoke with newsmen in Abuja after the close of submission of expression of interest and nomination forms by aspirants, on Saturday.
He said, “I assure you that the party is interested and desirous of conducting a free fair transparent primary’s in Ondo State. And that for us is the only guarantee that at the end of the exercise out of the 16 we are aware only 1 will emerge and the rest can extend the hand of felicitation with whosever emerges as we did in Edo State.”
Duru said 16 aspirants obtained and submitted back to the party, their expression of interest and nomination forms.
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The aspirants are Olusoji Adewale Ehinlanwo, Hon. Okunjimi Odimayo John, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim and APC National Vice Chairman (South West) Duerimini Isaacs Kekemeke.
Others are Akinfolarin Mayo Samuel, Adewale Okumuyiwa Akinterinwa, Olugbenga Omogbemi Edema, Chief Olusola Alexander Oke (SAN), Gen. Ohunyeye Olamide Felix, Barr Morayo Lebi, Garvey Oladiran Iyanjan, Prof. Francis Adebayo Faduyile and Engr. Ifeoluwa Olusola Oyedele (Male).
Speaking with newsmen after submitting his forms, one of the aspirants, Engr. Ifeoluwa Oyedele, said contrary to speculations, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has not annointed anyone for the party’s ticket.
He also said having stepped down for a former governor of the State, late Rotimi Akeredolu, and withdrawn from the race for secretaryship of the APC at a time in the interest of the party, he feels it is his turn to pick the party’s ticket for the November election.
The aspirant said he has the competence and all that is required to revive the state’s economy, generate job opportunities for the unemployed youths and turn around the fortunes of the state for the better.
Screening of the aspirants has been slated for April 11 and 12, respectively.
