By Jubril Bada

As Ondo State gears up for its highly anticipated local government elections, scheduled for 18, January in 2025, the political landscape is abuzz with activity, as numerous parties throw their hats into the ring.

From established contenders, several political parties across the state have expressed keen interest in contesting in  the 18 local government areas and 203 wards, signalling a vibrant and competitive democratic exercise.

Leading the charge is the All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling party in the state, which has demonstrated a high level of preparedness and organisational structure.

The APC has finalised its candidate selection process through a well-coordinated indirect primary and consensus approach in some areas.

The party’s campaign strategy emphasises the achievements of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration, leveraging on ongoing infrastructure development, rural road rehabilitation, and pro-masses programmes to sway voters at the grassroots level.

The APC’s primaries were widely regarded as peaceful and conducted in compliance with the  electoral guidelines.

The State Director of Media and Publicity for the APC, Mr Steve Otaloro, stated that the party has elected candidates for all chairmanship and councillorship positions across the state’s 18 local government areas and 203 wards.

The APC has been proactive with house-to-house mobilisation and ward-level campaigns. Governor Aiyedatiwa, through party chieftains and campaign groups, has encouraged members to engage voters directly and promote the administration’s achievements.

Similarly, the State Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Kenneth Peretei, explained that the main opposition party is ready to participate in 15 out of the 18 local governments, fielding candidates for 131 out of the 203 councillorship seats available.

The PDP, he said, had successfully selected all its candidates through indirect and consensus primaries.

The party has presented a list of candidates perceived as credible challengers, particularly in areas where they maintain strong support. Its campaign has focused on highlighting perceived shortcomings in governance while promising reforms at the local level.

The PDP has also prioritised reconciliation efforts among its members to present a united front. The party has been actively supervising campaign activities to ensure its candidates remain competitive.

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Labour Party (LP) are not left out. Both parties have fielded candidates and are working hard to challenge the dominance of the APC and the popularity of the PDP,  as the main opposition party.

The SDP, under its candidate-centric approach, is emphasising proposals for local governance reforms, while the LP is capitalising on its rising popularity among youths and workers.

According to the LP State Chairman, Mr Abiodun Agbaje, the party is fully prepared for the polls, with membership registration ongoing at unit, ward, local government, state, and national levels.

He disclosed that the party fielded three chairmanship candidates for Owo, Ese-Odo, and Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo local governments and 12 councillorship flagbearers across various wards, including Akoko North West Ward 10, Akoko South-East Ward 4, Ose, Akure North Ward 2, Akure South Wards 2 and 5, and others.

Other parties, such as the Action People’s Party (APP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), have also expressed interest in participating, signalling their determination to establish a presence in the state.

The State Chairman of ZLP, Mr Cornelius Akintoye, stated that the party fielded three local government candidates in Ondo East, Ondo West, and Owo local governments, alongside 10 councillorship candidates.

Akintoye noted that the ZLP is fully prepared, having put in place strategies to mobilise voters by showcasing the plans of its candidates for the grassroots.

Mr Dotun Ojon, the State Chairman of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), announced that one chairmanship and about 50 councillorship candidates have obtained expression of interest and nomination forms.

The APP State Chairman, Mr Olaoluwa Adesanya, revealed that the party plans to field about 10 chairmanship and 18 councillorship candidates.

Similarly, the NNPP State Chairman, Pastor Peter Olagookun, explained that only one candidate has shown interest in contesting for the position of chairmanship on the party’s platform.

Olagookun stated that the NNPP will engage in house-to-house campaigns and leverage media and publicity efforts to canvass votes, emphasising the need to elect candidates who will represent the electorate effectively.

The Chairman of the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC), Dr Joseph Aremo, assured residents of the commission’s readiness to conduct a free, fair and credible election.

Reiterating the commission’s commitment to a smooth electoral process, Aremo said ODIEC has been working tirelessly to ensure grassroots democracy remains non-negotiable.

Aremo also noted that all submitted applications for positions such as presiding officers, assistant presiding officers and returning officers would be carefully screened to ensure only competent individuals manage the 3,933 polling units.