The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has picked Mr Jimoh Ibrahim Folorunso as the official candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State.
The commission refused to recognize Mr Eyitayo Jegede of the Senator Ahmed Makarfi faction of the party supported by Governor Olusegun Mimiko. Jegede was a former Commissioner for Justice under the Mimiko administration.
In the list of governorship candidates published on its site inecnigeria.org, on Thursday, Jegede’s name was conspicuously missing while Jimoh Ibrahim Folorunsho featured prominently for the PDP.
Also listed as running mate for Ibrahim is Alabi Ebenezer Omotayo.
INEC, it was gathered, decided to name Jimoh Ibrahim as the PDP candidate for the poll because of a federal high court order which expressly ordered INEC to recognize Ibrahim as the PDP candidate.
The commission also listed Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress(APC).
The Commission, in a statement signed by its Secretary, Mrs Auguta Ogakwu on Thursday in Abuja, also released the names of 26 others as candidates cleared for the Nov. 26 state election.
INEC, which listed Alfred Ajayi as running mate to Akeredolu, stated that Ibrahim and his deputy, Alabi Omotayo, were cleared on court order.
The other 26 cleared candidates are Amuda Oladare (Accord); Yinka Orokoto (AA); Francis Ogunjumelo (ACPN); Olusola Oke, (AD); Margareta Ogunyoku-Ojo (ADC); Oluyi Helen (APA) and Francis Alao (APGA).
Also cleared are Funmilayo Ataunoko (BNPP); Fasua Oyeleye (CPP); Adeeyo Bolorundaro (DPC); Falana Julianna (DPP); Odedeyi John (HDP); Samuel Akogunrin (ID); Daniel Ogungbemi (KOWA) and Adeoti Taye (LP).
Other candidates on list are Obayoriju Abass (NCP); Oluwadare Bada (NNPP); Ayibiowu Ige (NUP); Oluwasegun Odidi (DPC); Adeniyan Daniel (PPA); Orunmoluyi Olagbegi (PPN) and Arigbede Gbenga (PRP).
Others are Olu Agunloye (SDP); Olugbenga Falaiye (UDP); Aidi Elijah (UPN) and Anthony Adeniranye (YDP).
According to the Commission, the publication is in accordance with section 34 of the Electoral Act 2010(as amended).
