The governing All Progressives Congress (APC) will use a direct primary to hold the shadow gubernatorial election in Ondo State on April 20. Before the primary, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) received a letter to this effect signed by Sen. Ajibola Basiru, the National Secretary, and Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the National Chairman.

Over the phone yesterday night in Abuja, our reporter was informed by Nze Chidi Duru, the Deputy National Organising Secretary, of the election's mode of conduct. When asked what kind of voting process the party will adopt for its Ondo State primary on April 20, the former member of the House of Representatives responded:

The Ondo State gubernatorial shadow poll is being conducted under the direct primary election process. "The party has chosen to use a direct election mode for the Ondo State shadow poll, as per the decision communicated in a letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) signed by the National Chairman and the National Secretary."

Two female candidates are running for Ondo State's APC governorship ticket. Through the selling of nomination and expression of interest forms, the party has received N720 million.

In anticipation of the April 20 governorship primary poll, which will choose the APC standard-bearer for the November 2024 Ondo State governorship election, sixteen candidates have selected their forms before yesterday's sale closing. The party received the money from two female candidates who paid N10 million each for the expression of interest form and 14 male candidates who selected the forms for N50 million apiece. Women and people with disabilities are excluded from paying the N40 million nomination form fee.

Commencing on March 27, the drill concluded yesterday. The current governor, Lucky Ayiedatiwa, and fifteen other people selected the expression of interest and nomination papers to run in the party's shadow election later this month, according to checks made at the Directorate of Organization for the party. The country learned that all but two of the candidates were men. The female candidates are Mrs. Funke Omogoroye Folakemi Judith and Funmilayo Mary Whaeed Adekojo, both are engineers.

Olusoji Adewale Ehinlanwo, Hon. Okunjimi Odimayo John, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, and Duerimini Isaacs Kekemeke, the APC National Vice Chairman (Southwest), are among the individuals who acquired the forms. The others are Morayo Lebi, a lawyer; Garvey Oladiran Iyanjan; Prof. Francis Adebayo Faduyile; Ifeoluwa Olusola Oyedele, an engineer (male); Chief Olusola Alexander Oke (SAN); Adewale Okumuyiwa Akinterinwa; and Olugbenga Omogbemi Edema. The candidates have until tomorrow to submit their completed application to the Organization Directorate. In advance of the local government congress, the 18 local governments are now revalidating their membership registrations.