Political observers have attributed the large number of APC aspirants to the preponderance of the opinion that it is the turn of the southern part of the state to produce the next governor of the state although there was no written agreement or rotational arrangement in the party.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State is set for its governorship primary where 171,922 delegates will decide who will fly the flag of the party in the November 16 governorship election.

Drawn from the 203 wards in the 18 local government areas of the state, the delegates have to decide whether the current governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has done enough to earn their franchise to contest for the election or a new face among the 15 other aspirants should be given the opportunity to compete for the states top job.

Inaugurating the seven-member governorship primary election committee headed by the Kogi State governor, Usman Ododo on Thursday, the partys embattled national chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, appealed to them to collaborate and be focused to ensure a hitch-free process.

The aspirants are Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the incumbent governor; Wale Akinterinwa; Senator Jimoh Ibrahim; Olusola Oke; Prof Francis Faduyile; Dr Funmi Waheed-Adekojo and Mayowa Akinfolarin.

Others are Olusoji Ehinlanwo; Okunjimi Odimayo; Isaac Kekemeke; Olugbenga Edema; Gen Ohunyeye Olamide (retd); Morayo Lebi; Garvey Oladiran Iyantan and Ifeoluwa Oyedele. 

Political observers have attributed the large number of APC aspirants to the preponderance of the opinion that it is the turn of the southern part of the state to produce the next governor of the state although there was no written agreement or rotational arrangement in the party, Daily Trust reports. 

They also hinged their strong belief on the widespread talk in the town that whoever emerges as the APC candidate in todays primary will most likely be the candidate to beat in the November governorship election. 

Aiyedatiwa is the incumbent governor, who took over the reign of power after the demise of his principal, Rotimi Akeredolu, whom he deputised. With a gale of endorsements from different political and influential groups, both within and outside the party in the state, many see him as the candidate to beat.

Wale Akinterinwa is the immediate past commissioner for finance in the state, the same position he held for three terms under former Governor Olusegun Mimiko and the late Akeredolu. 

Akinterinwa, a native of Ile Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government Area, is one of the prominent contestants for the APC governorship ticket. He is said to have secured the endorsement of the late Akeredolu before his demise and has since been enjoying the support of the foot soldiers and political family of the former governor.

Meanwhile, Olusola Oke is the oldest and foremost contender among the crop of aspirants for the APC governorship ticket, considering his political experience and long years of contesting for the seat. 

Oke, who has a solid support base in the party, was a governorship candidate in 2012 and 2016. He contested the same with the former governor, Mimiko, and also with the late Akeredolu. He was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and later, Alliance for Democracy (AD) at different times.

Okes several failed attempts at leading the state, notwithstanding his credentials and contributions to politics, have also consolidated his soaring popularity. The lanky politician, who hails from the small fishing settlement of Ilowo on the coast of Ilaje Local Government Area, has for years been the face of political leadership in the southern district, which has been agitating for the governorship seat. 

Despite his rich political background, observers said he may need the endorsement of the Abuja power bloc to fulfill his political aspiration of becoming a governor. 

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