A source at the commission's office who pleaded anonymity confirmed this to a SaharaReporters correspondent in Akure on Tuesday night.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that John Ola Mafo will be the Deputy Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State.
A source at the commission's office who pleaded anonymity confirmed this to a SaharaReporters correspondent in Akure on Tuesday night.
The source said the name of Mr. Ola Mafo was forwarded to the office of the Administrative Secretary of INEC and has been confirmed by the staff of the office at the Ondo State Headquarters.
"Yes, it is true that we received the name of Prince John Ola Mafo as the Deputy Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State,” the source stated. “Mr. Ola Mafo will serve as the main running mate of Barrister Eyitayo Jegede, who has been chosen as the Governorship candidate of the PDP ahead of the November 26 governorship poll.”
Banji Okunomo, the Spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State, said the decision to pick Mr. Ola Mafo was sealed by the party's highest decision-making body.
Mr. Okunomo disclosed that Mr. Ola Mafo's choice was also considered after several factors that could lead to victory for the party in the forthcoming poll were reached.
"At the highest decision-making body of the Ondo State Peoples Democratic Party today, the PDP resolved on the choice of John Ola Mafo as the Deputy Governorship candidate of the party. The party took this far-reaching decision after considering all factors that would lead to its victory at the poll.
"The party weighed a number of options, including the credentials of Ola Mafo which ranged from being a former Chairman of Ilaje local government area of Ondo State and former Commissioner for Information in Ondo State.
"Ola Mafo was also a former Special Adviser to Governor Mimiko and until his nomination, he was the Chairman of the Ondo State Football Association (ODSFA). He is also a founding member of the PDP, a veteran politician from the Southern senatorial district, particularly Ilaje local government, and a native of Zion Pepe," he said.
Mr. Okunomo also told SaharaReporters in a phone interview that the campaign of the ruling PDP would now begin with an Jegede-Mafo governorship ticket.
INEC has set this month of October as the deadline for the replacement governorship candidates.
