Dr Ayodele Festus Olorunfemi has emerged as the governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) ahead of the November 16 gubernatorial election in Ondo State.

Olorunfemi was returned unopposed during the LP primary election held at the party’s secretariat in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Friday, April 26, 2024.

The Chairman of the LP Primary Committee from the national secretariat in Abuja, Olusola Ayodele, declared Olorunfemi as the candidate, having fulfilled the requirements and guidelines of the party.

Ayodele said out of three aspirants who showed interest, only Olorunfemi obtained the nomination form of N25 million, while the two other aspirants did not pay to obtain the form.

He said: “We have no other option than to pronounce the only aspirant, Dr Ayo Olorunfemi, who fulfilled the conditions in line with the guidelines, as elected and returned unopposed.

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“The disqualified aspirants, Otunba Yemi Farimoyo and Prince Ojajuni Eniola, however, still have the option to send their grievances, if any, to the appeal committee.

“So, I hereby congratulate you all for a successful primary and wish you all journey mercies to your destination.”

In his acceptance speech, Olorunfemi said he would embark on welfarist programmes if elected as the governor of Ondo State.

He said: “Labour Party, being a socialist-oriented political party, will focus on governance that reflects people because we are people-centred.

“Therefore, we are going to be working assiduously on a four-point agenda of health, education, employment creation and massive infrastructural development, using local resources, particularly direct labour system.

“We will ensure prudent utilisation of funds and ensure even distribution of resources, especially among the poorest of the poor, while making sure that the middle class is appropriately populated.”

Olorunfemi was the former General Secretary of the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC).

The Star