The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed in a statement that 17 candidates from different political parties are running for the Ondo State governorship election.
The election is scheduled for Saturday, November 16, 2024, with a diverse slate of candidates vying for the top position.
Below is a summary of the 17 candidates and their respective parties competing to lead Ondo State for the next four years.
- Falaiye Ajibola (A)
Falaiye Ajibola is a candidate for the governorship election in Ondo State, representing the Accord Party (AP). His campaign emphasizes a commitment to addressing the state’s pressing issues, including economic development and social welfare.
He studied at Ekiti State University, obtaining his Bachelor’s degree. Mr Ajibola has been involved in local politics and is recognized for his grassroots connections within the community. The 64-year-old candidate chose Samuel lkuyajolu as his running mate. - Akinuli Omolere (AA)
Akinuli Omolere is a Nigerian politician who recently emerged as the governorship candidate for the Action Alliance (AA) Party in the upcoming Ondo State gubernatorial election. His candidacy was confirmed during the party’s primary election, where he received 45 out of 73 valid votes.
Mr Omolere has a professional background with significant business and management experience before his political career. He is notably recognized as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Lery Hago, a luxury travel concierge service focused on creating bespoke travel experiences. His entrepreneurial journey has also co-founded various ventures across different sectors, including beauty, fashion, and product packaging. He chose Adeyemi Oluwatoyin as his running mate
3 Ajayi Adekunle (AAC)
Ajayi Adekunle is a poet, activist, thespian, and conversationalist under the African Action Congress (AAC). Mr Ajayi is known for actively participating in protests against government policies, particularly those he views as detrimental to the populace. He has been involved in various movements that challenge corruption and advocate for transparency in governance.
His nomination as the AAC candidate reflects his involvement in local politics and his aspirations to lead in a gubernatorial capacity. He is in this race with Dada David as his running mate.
- Nejo Adeyemi (ADC)
Nejo Adeyemi is a legal practitioner under the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The 40-year-old candidate is a prince of Mahin Kingdom in Ilaje Local Government, Ondo State, and the Principal partner of Myson Law Practice.
Mr Adeyemi emerged as the ADC’s candidate for the Ondo State governorship election after winning the party’s primary on Apr. 26, 2024, where he secured 114,911 votes against his closest opponent. His campaign emphasises good governance, adherence to the rule of law, educational reform, healthcare improvements, and infrastructure development. He picked Ibrahim Olaide as his running mate.
- Akinnodi Ayodeji (ADP)
Akinnodi Ayodeji, popularly called Ejanla, is a prominent Nigerian businessman and politician. He was born on May 9, 1985, in Ondo town, Ondo State, Mr Ayodeji hails from a Yoruba Christian family. His educational journey began at St. Mary’s Nursery & Primary School and continued at Ondo Boys’ High School for secondary education. He later attended the University of Benin in Edo State, earning a degree in Computer Engineering.
Additionally, he pursued further studies in real estate development at the Metropolitan School of Business and Management in the UK and the London Real Estate Academy. Moyosola Olorunmonu is his running mate.
6. Lucky Ayedatiwa (APC)
Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the sitting governor of Ondo State, was born on Jan. 12, 1965. He hails from Obe-Nla, in the Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State. In 1986, he obtained a Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) in Economics and Government from Lagos State College of Education (now Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education), Ijanikin, Lagos. Mr Ayedatiwa later attended the University of Ibadan for an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration in 2001.
He became an alumnus of Lagos Business School – Pan Atlantic University, Lekki, Lagos, where he obtained Post Graduate Certification in Chief Executive Education (CEP) in Business Management in 2009.
In 2013, he obtained a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom. Mr Aiyedatiwa served as the federal commissioner who represented Ondo State on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission from 2018 to 2019. He was selected as Rotimi Akeredolu’s running mate in the 2020 Ondo State gubernatorial election. He became acting governor of Ondo State on 13 December 2023, as Mr Akeredolu left for end-stage leukaemia treatment. Following the death of Mr Akeredolu on 27 December 2023, Mr Aiyedatiwa was sworn in as governor of Ondo State.
- Olatunji Popoola (APGA)
Olatunji Popoola is a 66-year-old politician running as the APGA candidate for governor of Ondo State in the upcoming election. His running mate is Taiwo Adedeji, who is 40 years old. Mr Popoola was also confirmed to be the State Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Osun State. In 2023, members of the Association of Progressive Political Parties in Osun State (Osun APPPS) passed a vote of confidence on Popoola as the Chairman of IPAC, indicating his growing influence and support within the broader political community.
As of 2024, Mr Popoola is a candidate for the Ondo State gubernatorial election under the APGA banner.
- Olorunfemi Ayodele (LP)
Olorunfemi Ayodele, a unionist, emerged as the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate. He was the former General Secretary of the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC).
The 59-year-old hails from Uro Ajowa, studied at Prowess University, USA, and picked Olabisi Adu as his running mate.
9 Olugbenga Edema (NNPP)
Olugbenga Edema, born Nov. 15, 1966, in Ogogoro, Ilaje LGA of Ondo State, is a politician, lawyer, mentor, and philanthropist. Formerly an aspirant of the APC, Mr Edema defected to NNPP in June 2024. He is part of a political landscape that emphasizes the importance of rotating leadership among the three senatorial districts of Ondo State. This arrangement aims to ensure equity and justice in governance, with Mr Edema representing the Ondo South district in this electoral cycle.
10. Agboola Ajayi (PDP)
Agboola Ajayi, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was born on Sept. 24, 1968. He hails from Kiribo Town of the Western Apoi tribe in the Ese Odo LGA of Ondo State. He attended Community High School in Kiribo Town and later moved to Methodist High School in Okitipupa LGA. He then studied law at Igbinedion University, Okada, in Edo State. He graduated with a Bachelor of Law (LL.B) in the 2nd Class Upper Division and was subsequently called to the bar in 2010 after graduating from Nigerian Law School in Abuja.
Mr Ajayi started his political career under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) platform and became the chairman of the SDP in Old Opoi Ward 1 from 1988 to 1998. He also served as a member of the House of Representatives and represented Ilaje/Ese Odo federal constituency under the PDP. During his time in the House, Mr Ajayi was chairman of the House Committee on NDDC from 2007 to 2010.
11.Francis Alli (PRP)
Francis Alli is the governorship candidate for the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP). He hails from Okitipupa Local Government Area and is the party’s National Secretary. Mr Alli holds a degree in Sociology from the University of Lagos, where he developed a strong foundation in social issues and community dynamics. His academic training has equipped him with insights into the challenges various demographics face within society, which he aims to address through his political career.
Francis Alli.
12. Akingboye Bamidele (SDP)
Akingboye Bamidele was born and raised in Igodan-Lisa, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria. Mr Bamidele’s educational journey laid the foundation for his illustrious career. He studied at Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University, and Herriot Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland.
With over 40 years of experience in the private sector, Mr Bamidele’s entrepreneurial ventures have left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s economic landscape. As Chairman and CEO of Benshore Maritime Services, he has pioneered innovative solutions in dredging, maritime services, and pollution control, driving sustainable growth and development.
Akingboye Bamidele
13. Otitoloju Akinmurele (YPP)
Otitoloju Akinmurele is a prominent Nigerian politician and candidate for the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in the upcoming governorship election in Ondo State. He has positioned himself as a reformist leader aiming to address the state’s challenges, which he attributes to corruption, incompetent leadership, and political arrogance.
Mr Akinmurele has been vocal about the need for change in Ondo State, emphasising that the region is rich in natural resources, including significant bitumen deposits, yet remains underdeveloped due to poor governance.
14. Adegoke Kehinde (YP)
Adegoke Kehinde’s multifaceted background combines legal expertise, political engagement, and a commitment to youth empowerment. The 35-year-old is committed to youth mentorship and engagement. Mr Kehinde is passionate about mentoring and guiding young people, emphasizing education and career development. His initiatives through the High Flyers network demonstrate his dedication to fostering leadership among youth in Nigeria.
15. Abbas Mimiko (ZLP)
Abbas Mimiko Abbas is the governorship candidate for the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). He is the younger brother of former Governor Olusegun Mimiko. Despite this familial connection, Mr Mimiko has emphasized his desire to campaign independently and gain support based on his own merits rather than relying on his brother’s political legacy.
He is a trained medical doctor who specializes in psychiatry. He completed his medical education at the University of Lagos College of Medicine. Mr Mimiko has articulated a vision for governance that includes rejuvenating the economy, enhancing agricultural productivity, improving education, and strengthening security measures within Ondo State. He believes the state has untapped resources that can be leveraged for development.
Other candidates
There was little to no public information about the candidates of the other two parties. They are Ogunfeyimi Kolawole (Allied Peoples Management) and Fadoju Babatunde (Action Peoples Party).
