The All Progressives Congress (APC) has adopted the direct mode for its party primary election ahead of the November 16, 2024 guber poll in Ondo state. 

This was contained in a release issued on Monday night for its timetable and schedule of activities for its primary election in the state.

In the timetable, the party pegged the expression of interest and nomination forms for the governorship election at 50 million naira. 

Peoples Gazette reports that the copy of the timetable was signed by the APC’s national organising secretary, Sulaimon Argungu. 

The party stated in the copy of the timetable that the sale of nominations, expressions of interest, and delegate forms for contestants jostling for the party’s governorship ticket would commence on April 3 and end on April 10, 2024.

It stated that female aspirants and persons living with disabilities will pay for expressions of interest, while the nomination form is free.

The primary election to pick the party’s flag bearer is slated for April 25. 

The Gazette reports that no fewer than 10 governorship aspirants are jostling for the ticket of the ruling party. 

They are: Incumbent Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Wale Akinteriwa, former commissioner for finance; Mayowa Akinfolarin, a former member of the House of Representatives; Olugbenga Edema, a former representative of the state on the board of the NDDC and Olumide Ohunyeye, a former director of finance at the Nigerian Defence Academy.

Others include Jimoh Ibrahim, business mogul and incumbent Senator representing Ondo South; Olusola Oke, former governorship candidate; Isaacs Kekemeke, APC national vice chairman (South-West), Adedayo Faduyile, erstwhile president of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA).

Also included are Paul Akintelure, former governorship aspirant; Jimi Odimayo, a member of the House Representative from Okitipupa federal constituency and Funmilayo Adekojo, businesswoman and entrepreneur and only female aspirant.