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Tag: Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

  • Agbamuche-Mbu is acting chair as Yakubu bows out of INEC

    Agbamuche-Mbu is acting chair as Yakubu bows out of INEC

    National Commissioner Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu yesterday took over in acting capacity as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Prof. Mahmood Yakubu stepped down after ten years of service.

    He handed over to her being one of the most senior national commissioners, pending the appointment of a substantive chairman.

    Prof. Yakubu announced that he was proceeding on a one-month terminal leave, preparatory to his final exit next month.

    Agbamuche-Mbu, a National Commissioner from the Southeast, heads the INEC’s Legal Services, Clearance and Complaints Committee (LSCCC).

    According to Section 154(1) of 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Chairman of INEC ‘shall be appointed by the President and the appointment shall be subject to confirmation by the Senate.’”

    Also, “Sub-section 3 provides that in exercising his powers to appoint a person as Chairman of INEC, “the President shall consult the Council of State.”

    The Council of State, which is made up of the President, former Heads of State, Senate President, House of Representatives Speaker, Chief Justice of the Federation, past Chief Justices of Nigeria and 36 governors, is expected to meet in Abuja tomorrow.

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    Yakubu, a Professor of Political History and International Studies, and 14th Chief Umpire, succeeded Prof. Attahiru Jega in 2015. He was re-appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term of five years on December 9, 2020.

    He announced his stepping down during a meeting with the State Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) at the INEC Headquarters in Abuja.

    In a letter dated October 3, 2025, Yakubu had expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the nation.

    President Tinubu, who accepted his departure, thanked him for his service to the nation and bestowed on him the national honour of the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).

    In a speech laced with emotion, Yakubu, who supervised two presidential elections in 2019 and 2023, thanks National Commissioners, Resident Electoral Commissioners and other electoral officers for their dedication, commitment, and hard work during his tenure.

    He also catalogued his achievements, which he attributed to team work.

    Yakubu said: “Over the years, we achieved a lot in responding to challenges and introducing many innovations. We have consolidated the biometric register of voters and replaced many of our manual processes with digital platforms and applications.

    “These include the nomination of candidates, submission of polling and collation agents by political parties, accreditation of national and international observers and the media for elections, voter accreditation and result management.

    “In addition, with the support of development partners, we have introduced various technologies to improve diverse aspects of election management such as easy location of election facilities, management of collation and returning officers, virtual training of electoral staff, management of political parties finances and audits, as well as the overall monitoring of elections using our Election Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC). Indeed, we have made tremendous progress, but a lot more needs to be done.”

    He added: “Accordingly, and knowing the enormity of the challenges ahead having been privileged to serve the Commission for ten years with only a few more weeks to serve, I have taken a decision and conveyed same as provided by Sec. 306 (1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as mended).

    “In the interim, I am handing over to one of the most senior National Commissioners by date of appointment. Following consultation with other National Commissioners, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu will serve in an acting capacity pending the appointment of a substantive Chairman of the Commission.

    “I hope that this will afford the appointing authorities adequate time to appoint a new Chairman. It will also enable the new Chairman to settle down quickly to the task of conducting elections and electoral activities in Africa’s most demographically and logistically complex elections.

    “I want to express my profound appreciation to members of the Commission and our Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) for the excellent working relations that we shared.

    “Since 2015, I have worked with 24 National Commissioners and 67 RECs. So also to the staff of the Commission. Those involved in elections or vastly knowledgeable about election management understand what the conduct of elections entails. I will forever cherish the support of successive Secretaries and staff of the Commission nationwide.”

    After receiving the baton, the acting chairman promised to uphold the integrity of the electoral agency during the transition period.

  • REC to women: stop waiting for men for slots, believe you can

    REC to women: stop waiting for men for slots, believe you can

    Resident Electoral Commissioner, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Anambra State, Dr Elizabeth Agwu has challenged women to build confidence in themselves to be recognized.

     Agwu stated this on Friday at the validation meeting on Project IMPACT baseline study finding on Persons With Disabilities and Women’s Political Aspiration in Elective Position.

     The initiative is being implemented by Social and Integral Development Center (SIDEC), in partnership with Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room supported by the UK-FCDO.

     The REC said the problem of women was not in the number of slots they were given, but in realizing their capacity towards contribution to nation building.

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     She cited her numerous feats achieved through various positions she had occupied over the years, challenging women not to underrate themselves.

     She said, “I don’t believe in women’s liberation. Women must have confidence in themselves and recognize they can.

     “Don’t wait for the men to give you a chance. Surely they’ll give us a quota but those slots can’t be enough as the one we give to ourselves.

     “It’s not to give you a chance but for you to believe you can do it. We can change the narratives by changing our orientation. Let’s begin to give our girl child the orientation so they can compete favourably with the men.”

     Earlier, Executive Director, SIDEC, Ugochi Ehiahuruike said the project was to promote inclusive participation of women, youth, and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in governance and combat disinformation.

     “Through this validation process, we will present key findings and collect feedback to strengthen the report’s accuracy and relevance.

     “We will build consensus on baseline indicators to track project progress; foster shared ownership and credibility among stakeholders,” she added.

     Chairman, Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD), Anambra State Chapter, Ugochukwu Okeke described the engagement as timely and strategic, as well as call for action.

     “For too long, the voices of women and persons with disabilities have been underrepresented in leadership and decision-making spaces, despite their proven abilities, resilience, and contributions to nation-building,” he added.

  • How by-elections reveal oppositon stand

    How by-elections reveal oppositon stand

    • By Felix Ofou

    The outcome of the by-elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently shattered all expectations. It turned out to be an anticlimax. Indeed, opposition political parties fell like a pack of cards.

    Members of the opposition and a few pundits wished the results would go the other way. They had hoped that the by-elections would provide the springboard to effectively challenge the unrivaled dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). But as it turned out, their wishes became only a pipe dream.

    What went wrong? What became of the boasts by the newly formed coalition under the umbrella of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that they were the party to reckon with in any elections? What happened to the coalition’s promise to rescue Nigeria? Was it an empty mantra? What really went wrong?

    Results released by INEC after the by-elections across the federation showed that the APC won 12 of the 16 seats across nine states that were contested for. The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) secured two seats in Anambra, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won one seat in Oyo, and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) claimed one seat in Kano.

    While APC swept most of the seats, PDP retained a foothold in Oyo and placed second in many of the contests, while APGA consolidated its dominance in Anambra under the leadership of Governor Charles Soludo.

    The results also reflect a trend of ruling parties consolidating power in their states, except in Adamawa and Taraba, where the APC upset the PDP in Ganye and Karim constituencies, respectively.

    In the building up to the polls, the coalition, led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, erstwhile President of the Senate, David Mark and ex-Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola had raised hopes that the ADC would make a significant impact.

    Spokesperson for the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi granted Raven interviews indicating an end to the dominance of the ruling APC. He picked several holes in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s governance style and policies and promised the rescue of Nigeria would commence with the by-elections.

    Reports of mass defection from both the APC and PDP to the ADC also helped in preparing ground for the expectation of a significant showing by the coalition in the polls. Many predicted a bandwagon effect on the polity on account of the defections.

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    Then there was the Peter Obi phenomenon. The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) has become the effective voice of the opposition, with expectations that he would help give the coalition some filip before the by-elections. But all that fizzled out as can be seen from the results announced by INEC.

    Obi, a former Governor of Anambra could not muster enough votes even in his state to win even if the two seats contested for. Instead, incumbent Governor Charles Soludo had the upper hand, with his party, APGA clinching the two seats contested for at the weekend.

    As it turned out, the ruling APC had a field day with remarkable results in the by-elections. The outcome reinforced assertions that the country was drifting towards a one party state, although leaders of the APC insist that it is proof of wide acceptance of President Tinubu’s policies and the Renewed Hope Agenda.

    Many reasons have been adduced for the opposition’s rather poor outing in the by-elections. Analysts claim that the outcome of the elections indicates that the mantra of trying to rescue Nigeria did not resonate with the electorate, a reason also given for voters apathy in the polls.

    Nigerians had earlier warned that the ragtag divisive politics in the opposition parties would spell death knell for them in any elections. That proved true as Labour Party could not get it’s acts right to produce lawful candidates in some constituencies. There were so many legal disputes and unresolved contests within the parties, leading to the elections.

    However, allegations of vote buying, vote suppression, thuggery, manipulation of votes and outright intimidation by security agencies have been blamed for the outcome of the by-elections. But these allegations seemed unsustainable as all parties have been accused of engaging in one malfeasance or the other. Even the APC claims it was rigged out in Kano State.

    The PDP, which should rightly be described as the main opposition party, has been unable to redeem itself from the morass it has found itself in recent months. Personality clash, vaunting ambitions and outright violation of the party ethos with impunity have turned the one time largest political party in Africa into a lame duck, beleaguered by endless internal crises.

    Nonetheless, it is expected that the so called opposition parties would close ranks and put their acts together ahead of the 2027 general elections. But that can only happen through an honest retrospection of where they missed it this time around.

    Of course, Nigerians are desirous of a viral opposition to keep the ruling party in check. But not from Liliputians intent  on festering their personal interests to the detriment of the welfare of the majority.

    Untill that is done, one can only predict that the APC would continue to dominate the polity and trounced other political parties in subsequent elections.

    • Ofon, a commentator, wrote from Lagos

  • Senate confirms five INEC RECs

    Senate confirms five INEC RECs

    The Senate yesterday confirmed five appointees as Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The resolution of the Senate followed its consideration of the report and recommendation of its Committee on Electoral Matters, which screened the nominees.

    Committee Chairman Simon Lalong presented the report during plenary.

    On May 6, the committee, formerly chaired by Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Ali, had screened the nominees.

    The REC-designates include:

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    Umar Yusuf Garba (Kano), Sa’ad Umar Idris (Bauchi), Chukwuemeka Ibeziako (Anambra), Umar Mukhtar (Borno), and Dr. Johnson Alalibo Simikiem (Bayelsa).

    Following the confirmation of the nominees, Senate President Godswill Akpabio urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by staying dedicated to their jobs upon assumption of office.

    “I believe that with the calibre of nominees that we have confirmed today, the President has again injected fresh and capable individuals into the INEC.

    “It is hoped that they would work to enhance the electoral processes of the commission as well as boost its performance,” Akpabio said.

  • Warri delineation: Court dismisses suit to restrain INEC

    Warri delineation: Court dismisses suit to restrain INEC

    Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit seeking to prevent the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from implementing the Supreme Court’s December 2, 2022, judgment on the delineation of polling units and electoral wards in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.

    Ruling yesterday, the judge upheld INEC’s objection, stating that the plaintiffs’ suit amounted to an invitation for the Federal High Court to sit on appeal over a Supreme Court judgment—an act he described as “judicial rascality.”

    He held that the case was statute-barred as it was filed outside the statutory three-month period. Consequently, the suit was dismissed.

    The Supreme Court, in Appeal No. SC/413/2016: Hon. George U. Timinimi & Ors v. INEC, directed INEC to conduct a fresh delineation of electoral wards and polling units in the Warri Federal Constituency.

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    The plaintiffs, led by Chief Brown Oritseweyinmi Mene, along with Mrs. Tserundede Faith Yashobo, Mrs. Tsaye Edeyibo-Mene, and Prince Joseph Arubi, represent the Itsekiri ethnic group in the Warri Federal Constituency, which includes Warri North, Warri South, and Warri South-West Local Government Areas.

    After INEC completed its fieldwork, the plaintiffs approached the Federal High Court in Abuja (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/443/2024), seeking an interim order to restrain INEC from releasing its report.

    INEC, through Chief Albert Akpomudje (SAN) objected, arguing that the court lacked jurisdiction since the Supreme Court had decided the issue.

    Dr. Joseph Nwobike (SAN) represented the Urhobos and Ijaws of Warri.

  • Uncollected PVCs

    Uncollected PVCs

    •Wholesale destruction not solution

    Nigeria’s electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is reported contemplating destroying more than six million permanent voter cards (PVCs) that have remained uncollected by designated holders – many of them as far back as 2015. The cards cluttering the commission’s various offices across the country will be gathered up and destroyed if the electoral umpire carries through with the recommendation, which is one of 208 proposals that emerged from a stakeholder review of the 2023 general election.

    Voting in Nigerian elections, by law, is through the instrumentality of the voter card. Section 16(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 mandates INEC to “design, cause to be printed and control the issuance of voters’ cards to voters whose names appear in the register”; and Section 47(1) stipulates that an intending voter at an election “shall present himself with his voter’s card to a presiding officer for accreditation at the polling unit in the constituency in which his name is registered.”

     But the reality is that millions of voter cards have not been picked up by eligible registered voters. Stakeholders in the post-2023 election review recommended that INEC do away with the backlog by withdrawing and destroying PVCs that have remained uncollected for extended periods. The basis for the proposal is that the cards are unlikely to ever get claimed and their retention clogs the voter management system.

    The electoral body was reported saying in a statement that the uncollected PVCs, among other related issues, illustrated challenges being encountered in voter processing in Nigeria. It outlined efforts made to get those cards collected before the 2023 poll, but with little success achieved. The commission made available the PVCs for collection by voters on December 12, 2022, INEC explained. The fact that a huge number of registered voters had yet to collect their PVCs forced the commission to extend the deadline from January 22, 2023 to February 5, 2023 “after devolving the collection to the ward level between January 6 to 15, 2023 to ease the process.”

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    The commission further explained that despite efforts made, including deploying an online tracking tool and partnering with civil society organisations (CSOs) to boost collection drive, millions of PVCs remained unclaimed.

    The frustration of INEC with uncollected PVCs can be understood in the light of the cumbersome and expensive logistics of getting those cards into the hands of voters. For instance, the commission has had to procure cost-intensive facilities like fire-proof cabinets for many of its offices nationwide to store PVCs along with other sensitive electoral materials.

     Also, whereas it has regular staff at its council offices to handle distribution of PVCs at that level, it must engage ad hoc personnel at huge costs every time the cards are taken out to the ward level – sometimes to the polling unit level – just so to ease access to collecting them by registrants for whom the cards were printed. Meanwhile, when the cards are not picked up and they get returned to INEC’s offices for storage, costs incurred in taking them out is money down the drain.

    However, it is debatable whether wholesale destruction of uncollected PVCs is the best remedy short of willful disenfranchisement of prospective voters. Media reports cited analysts saying the cards were likely products of double registration by some persons. But anyone familiar with INEC’s system knows that under ideal conditions, it eliminates double/multiple records of registrants before sending out data for cards to be printed. Thus, uncollected cards are those for eligible voters who simply have refused to pick them up, or registrants who are dead, or persons who managed to beat INEC’s official processes to make bogus registrations.

    The first category are prospective voters who can yet be cultivated through intensified enlightenment, while INEC carries out a clinical audit of its processes to isolate and weed out the latter two categories and PVCs printed for them. It will be a more rigorous and taxing undertaking, but one that would be a worthwhile investment in the development of our young democracy pending when PVCs are altogether dumped as sine qua non for voting as INEC also already envisages.

  • UPDATED: Court declines to stop PDP from postponing Thursday’s NEC meeting 

    UPDATED: Court declines to stop PDP from postponing Thursday’s NEC meeting 

    A Federal High Court in Gusau, Zamfara State has rejected a motion ex-parte seeking to among others restrainNational Executive Committee (NEC) National Executive Committee (NEC) from postponing its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting already scheduled to hold on Thursday 24th October, 2024 at its national secretariat, Abuja.

    Justice Salim Ibrahim, in a ruling on Tuesday, rejected three key reliefs sought in the motion ex-parte motion files by Imam Auwal, who claimed to be a member of the PDP.

    The motion ex-parte was filed in a suit marked: FHC/GS/CS/68/2024, files by Auwal, with the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) listed as defendants.

    The plaintiff had, in the motion ex-parte, prayed the court for five principal reliefs:

    *An order of interlocutory injunction restraining the first defendant, its officers, agents, privies and/or any person or persons claiming through or under it from postponing its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting already scheduled to hold on Thursday 24th October, 2024 at its national secretariat, Abuja pending the final hearing and determination of the motion on notice. 

    *An order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants jointly and severally, their servants, agents, privies and/or any person or persons claiming through or under them from recognizing any other National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on any other dates except the one scheduled for Thursday 24th October, 2024 as the 99th NEC meeting of the first defendant/respondent pending the final hearing and determination of the motion on notice. 

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    *An order of interlocutory injunction restraining the National Working Committee (NEC) and all other organs of the first defendant from recognizing the suspended National Vice Chairman (South East Zone), Mr. Ali Odefa as a member or national officer of the first defendant pending the final 

    hearing and determination of the motion on notice. 

    *An order of interlocutory injunction restraining the second defendant not to receive any correspondence or communication of whatever nature from the first defendant, unless a substantive National Chairman is appointed in accordance with Section 47 (6) of the Peoples Democratic Party Constitution (PDP), 2017 (as amended) pending the final hearing and determination of the motion on notice. 

    *An order to serve on the defendants/respondents the originating summons and the motion on notice, including all other notices in this suit, by serving at their respective offices located in Gusau, Zamfara State. 

    But after listening to Auwal 

    ‘s lawyer, Ibrahim Ali, who moved the motion, Justice Ibrahim declined to grant all the reliefs except the one seeking substituted service of court documents on the defendants.

    The relief granted reads: “An order to serve on the defendants/respondents the originating summons and the motion on notice, including all other notices in this suit, by serving at their respective offices located in Gusau, Zamfara State.” 

    Justice Ibrahim also issued an order abridging time in the proceeding; directed that parties in the suit should be notified and then adjourned  October 25.

  • ‘Ondo REC can’t guarantee free, fair, credible poll’

    ‘Ondo REC can’t guarantee free, fair, credible poll’

    Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has urged Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chair, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, to replace Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, Ondo State Resident Electoral Commisioner (REC), noting she is from the state and could compromise the governorship election.

    Makinde spoke at a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rally in Akure, stressing PDP is not afraid of a fair contest, but demands a REC from outside Ondo be assigned to ensure a level-playing field.

    Makinde said we demand that Mahmood removes Mrs. Babalola because she can compromise integrity of the poll.

    According to him, the party will continue to insist on this until she is removed.

    ‘‘Bring another REC that will be fair and that will allow a level-playing field. We, as PDP, are not afraid of a fair contest”, he said.

    Corroborating Makinde, the party’s Southwest chapter noted importance of a credible election in Ondo. Sanya Atofarati, PDP leader in the region, urged the people to protect their mandate in November.

     Atofarati reiterated the party’s confidence in its candidate, Alfred Agboola, while warning against attempts to manipulate the process.

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    Atofarati said Southwest PDP supports redeployment of Mrs. Babalola ‘‘because she cannot be trusted to superintend the November election.

    “The people are concerned about the election, and INEC has the responsibility to ensure transparency and accountability in the electoral processes.

    “It is evident the people have resolved to vote for PDP candidate, Agboola Ajayi, and any attempt to impose a known manipulator through INEC will be resisted,” he said.

    PDP alleged Mrs. Babalola, a former INEC director of Legal Services, has ties to Ondo State, despite INEC’s claims to the contrary. The party wondered why INEC is insisting on retaining her as REC, considering the conflict of interest.

    But INEC, via its official X (formerly Twitter) account, said Mrs. Babalola is not from Ondo State, in line with its policy of not posting RECs to their states of origin. However, the commission did not specify her state of origin.

  • 2019 Elections: Our efforts to get better women participation failed — INEC

    THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has lamented the failure of its effort at strengthening gender equality during the 2019 general elections.

    The National Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who disclosed this in his opening remarks at the INEC’s review meeting of the 2019 general elections from a gender perspective yesterday, said although the commission made efforts to encourage women participation, there were factors that prevented that from happening.

    According to him, records showed that women came out in large numbers to participate in the electioneering processes as aspirants but were largely weeded out through the party primary processes, drastically reducing the total number of women who participated in the general elections and the very small number that eventually won elective offices.

    Yakubu, who was represented by the National Commissioner in charge of Outreach and Partnership Committee, Mr Ademola Ogunmola, using the figures available of women participation in politics in Nigeria, observed that the case with Nigeria is very unimpressive, when compared to other places in Africa.

    He said: “The 2019 general election activities and engagements showed high level participation of women in the electoral process as aspirants but due to barriers they regressed in the number that won elections. The party primaries amongst others fell short of expectations as many women could not secure tickets to represent their parties.

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    “During the elections, only 5 out of the 73 candidates who ran for the position of President were women, 1,668 men and 232 women vied for the 109 Senatorial seats while 4,139 men and 533 women contended for 360 seats in the House of Representatives. At the end of the election, only 7 women won Senatorial seats and 11 were elected into the House of Representatives while 4 were elected as deputy Governors.

    “However, other countries in the Sub-Saharan Africa have laid examples to follow. For instance, 12 Sub-Saharan countries elected more than 30% women to legislative positions, while Rwanda reportedly have so many success stories and advancement in electing women to more than 60% of its legislative positions.

    “The huge efforts made by the Commission to support the participation of women in the electoral process did not succeed in addressing the decline of women’s representation in politics. This has become worrisome as women’s participation in governance and leadership is not only essential prerequisite for removing gender inequality but also the attainment of basic human rights.

    “This meeting therefore, is expected to look into the challenges, actions and inactions of stakeholders and ways to bridge them while sustaining the good effort made. There is need to start thinking of how things can be done differently for more impact.

    “Such exercise will assist the Independent National Electoral Commission learn vital lessons that could enable the Commission review its policies and programmes and serve as a roadmap in planning for future elections.

    “There is also need to review the operational framework put in place by the Commission, identify success factors with a view to consolidating and sustaining them. It is important to note that the reviews are not about the Commission alone but about mutual credibility for a successful electoral process and outcome in the future elections.”

     

     

  • Ondo APC, PDP: Gazing at 2020

    Ahead of next year’s governorship election in Ondo State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have returned to the drawing board. Correspondent DAMISI OJO examines the permutations by the ruling and opposition parties.

    The governorship election will hold in Ondo State next year.

    Although  the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not released the time table, the political parties are warming up for the poll.

    Already, gladiators are preparing  for the contest. No fewer than 20 parties are expected to participate in the exercise, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are the parties to watch.

    While the PDP is banking on its victoryduring the last presidential and National Assembly elections, which was due to the disunity in the APC, the ruling party is working hard to retain the Alagbaka House.

    Indeed, there is still a stumbling block on the way for the APC, judging  by the disharmony in the party. APC leaders are still at loggerheads.

    Since 2016 election, the heat has been on. The progressives party has been divided since that disputed primary. During the election, the party split.  The different groups worked at  cross-purpose. They did not support Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

    The aggrieved members were fighting the ‘Team Aketi’, which worked for Akeredolu to become the helmsman in 2016. Now, the group is working to ensure that the Owo-born lawyer gets the second term ticket and retains the seat till 2024.

    Akeredolu, who was initially relunctant to unite the factional groups, shortly after emerging as the governor, is seeking reconciliation ahead of next year polls. But, he still has many hurdles to surmount to achieve the goal.

    Recently, the APC Southwest Caucus, led by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, was in Akure, the Ondo State capital, seeking for unity and to guard against destroying the party.

    At the meeting, it was learnt that   next year’s election and second term ticket werenot  on the agenda. The meeting was basically for reconciliation to fortify the ruling party.

    Besides, sources hinted that there was an agreement to dissolve the APC’s State Executive, led by Ade Adetimehin, to be replaced with a Care-taker Committee. Its membership is expected to be all-encompassing.

    However, after almost three-months, the same exco is still running the party, to the displeasure of the aggrieved parties .

    The concerned groups ,led by former Deputy Governor Alli Olanusi, who is also a member of theAPC Board of Trusteees (BOT), have  reminded Abuja forces to support the resolution.

    They are feeling uncomfortable with  loyalists of ‘Team Aketi,’ who are running the party. They are frowning at the inability of the NWC to dissolve the state exco as agreed upon during the July 10 peace meeting.

    For now, the estranged members have not been accomodated by Akeredolu to strengten the party to become a winning platform ahead of next year’s poll.

    The crack is bold on the wall. However, some aspirants are warming up.  They are not intimidated by the power of incumbency weilded by the governor. Therefore, Akeredolu may not be the only aspirant at the primary.

    The contenders include the Executive Director, Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC),  Ife Oyedele, former governorship candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) the Pioneer Chairman of APC Isaac Kekemeke and former Information Commissioner Banji Ayiloge.

    Observers are of the view that the senator representing Ondo North District, Prof Ajayi Boroffice, may be interested in the coveted seat. But,  feelers from his camp have not been definite.

    Three aspirants-Oyedele, Oke and Kekemeke-are from the South District,which is agitating for power shift.

    They said the Central had produced  Dr Olusegun Mimiko and the North has produced Akeredolu, adding that   the South has not tasted it in post- Olusegun Agagagu period.To the South, the state has an unwritten zoning arrangement.

    The PDP is also thirsty for power,  having been booted out of office on February 24, 2016 by the ruling APC.

    PDP lost power to the APC due to  internal wrangling and litigations.

    The crisis led to the failure of its candidate, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), to succeeed Mimiko.

    Observers believe the party, which must have learnt its lesson, is ready to correct its past mistakes.

    The party’s success March general elections gave it a ray of hope.  The party produced two senators, Nicholas Tofowomo (South) and Ayo Akinyelure  (Central).

    Already, the party in readiness to send Akeredolu and his party, APC packing in Alagbaka House, is parading no fewer than 16 aspirants.

    Majority of them are from the North where governor Akeredolu hails from. Some are from the South and few from the Central.

    PDP aspirants are Eddy Olafeso (P.hD), who is the National Vice Chairman (Southwest ) and former Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Mobilisation under Agagu.

    Jegede, a former Commissioner for Justice under Mimiko, was the 2016 PDP governorship candidate.

    He came second after losing to  Akeredolu.

    Already, Jegede has begun consultations without minding some side talks that Ondo Central should rest for now after the exit of Mimiko.

    He said he had consulted God Almighty on whether he  should go forward on the project and the answer was in affirmative.

    Also on the list is Ebiseni, a lawyer and a three- time commissioner, and  the former Chairman of Ilaje Local Government and immediate past Publicity Secretary of the party, Banji Okunomo, and Otunba Bamidele Akingboye.

    In PDP, there will be no zoning. The congress will elect the strongest candidate.

    Stakeholders in the two parties are posting that their parties will win.