Each candidate has presented distinct plans and blueprints aimed at bringing progress to Ondo State, appealing to voters with promises of growth, stability, and development.
With each candidate representing a different political party, there is also a notable range in their ages, reflecting the diverse generational choices facing Ondo’s electorate.
Below is a closer look at each candidate by age, highlighting the generational spectrum they represent.
Ogunfeyimi Kolawole is the oldest candidate in the Ondo guber race.
Kolawole became the flag bearer of the party in the November 16 Governorship Election in Ondo state.
He emerged through consensus as party delegates across the 18 Local Governments of the state assembled at the State Party’s Secretariat in Akure to affirm his nomination as the party’s candidate.
The Governorship Candidate promised to focus on Agriculture, Education, Health saying:
Olatunji Popoola, a 66-year-old politician, is running as APGA’s candidate for Ondo State governor, with 40-year-old Taiwo Adedeji as his running mate.
Currently the APGA State Chairman in Osun, Popoola’s political influence grew when he received a 2023 vote of confidence from the Osun APPPS as IPAC Chairman. Now, he aims to bring his leadership to Ondo in the 2024 gubernatorial race.
Falaiye Ajibola, 64, is the Accord Party (AP) candidate for the Ondo governorship election. His campaign focuses on economic growth and social welfare.
A graduate of Ekiti State University, Ajibola brings grassroots political experience and has chosen Samuel Ikuyajolu as his running mate.
Olugbenga Edema, a politician, lawyer, and philanthropist from Ogogoro in Ondo South, is aged 64. He is the NNPP candidate in the 2024 Ondo governorship race.
Formerly with the APC, Edema switched to NNPP in June 2024, advocating for equitable leadership rotation among Ondo’s senatorial districts.
Akinuli Omolere, 63, is the Action Alliance (AA) candidate in the upcoming Ondo governorship election, securing his spot with 45 of 73 votes in the party primary.
Known for his extensive business background, Omolere is the CEO of Lery Hago, a luxury travel concierge service, and co-founder of ventures in beauty, fashion, and packaging. He selected Adeyemi Oluwatoyin as his running mate.
Mimiko Abbas, 60, of ZLP, has strong family ties to former governor Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, which bolsters his standing among Ondo voters.
Abbas campaigns on a platform of continuity, social welfare, and improved healthcare, appealing to those who value legacy-driven governance.
His ties to the Mimiko name make him a familiar face in the Ondo political landscape.
Lucky Aiyedatiwa, 59, is the incumbent governor of Ondo State and hails from Obe-Nla in Ilaje LGA. His educational background includes an NCE in Economics and Government (1986), an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from the University of Ibadan (2001), and an MBA from the University of Liverpool (2013).
