The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the final list of candidates and their running mates for Nov. 16 Ondo State governorship election.

Mr Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee,disclosed this in a statement issued  in Abuja on Thursday.

According to him ,personal particulars of the candidates and their running mates have been published at INEC state and local government offices in Ondo State.

Olumekun said that in line with the provision of Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, two political parties, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) conducted fresh primaries to replace their earlier nominated candidates and their running mates by the deadline of June 10.

He also disclosed that five parties; the African Action Congress (AAC), the Action Democratic Party (ADP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), replaced their running mates only.

“Overall, 17 political parties are fielding candidates for the election. No political party has nominated a female candidate while one candidate nominated by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is a person with disability (a paraplegic).

“The final list also gives the breakdown of the candidates by age and academic qualifications.

“The list has been published at our office in Akure and also uploaded to our website and social media platforms for public information,” he said.

Olumekun said that with the conclusion of the nomination process, political parties were now permitted to start public  campaigns from Wednesday (June 19) till the midnight of  Nov. 14.

“As parties commence this critical phase of the election, the commission once again reminds candidates, agents and their supporters of the provision of the law and the Commission’s guidelines governing such activity.

“For emphasis, parties shall conduct their campaigns with civility and decorum devoid of inciting language, violence, voter inducement and other infractions in accordance with the provisions of Section 92-97 of the Electoral Act 2022,” Olumekun said.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mr Tanimu Yakubu as the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation.

Tinubu replaces Mr Ben Akabueze whose tenure has expired.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity, announced the appointment in a statement on Thursday.

The statement said that Yabuku is an accomplished economist and was Chief Economic Adviser to a former President from 2007 to 2010. He was also Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria from 2003 to 2007.

“He was Commissioner of Finance, Budget, and Economic Planning in Katsina State from 1999 to 2003,” the statement added.

Yakubu holds a Master of Business Administration degree in Finance from Wagner College, Staten Island, New York, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the same institution.

“President Tinubu thanks the outgoing Director-General, Akabueze, for his services and wishes him success in his future endeavours.

“The President expects Tanimu to further enhance the provision of efficient and qualitative budget functions, with a view to promoting fiscal sustainability, transparency and accountability in public finance management for national development,” the statement added.

Gov. Umo Eno, of Akwa Ibom, has suggested that payment from the 13 per cent derivation fund should be made directly to the oil-producing communities.

The governor stated this on Thursday while addressing a cross-section of students at the University of Uyo, shortly after his PhD Seminar presentation.

He said that there was need to provide a sincere legal framework to make oil-producing communities to benefit directly from the fund.

”The framework will enable oil producing communities, traditional rulers, youth associations, community development councils, among others to directly benefit from the fund,” he said.

The governor urged youths in the state to engage in self-development in order to take advantage emerging global opportunities.

Eno said that it was highly advisable for youths to upgrade themselves in preparation for opportunities.

“We have to learn how to prepare and wait for opportunities because in life, opportunities may never wait for anyone.

“Although it is good to ask governments to build the youth, it is also very good for the youth to build themselves in order to fit into today’s highly competitive society,” he said.

Eno restated his administration’s commitment towards the educational development of the state through the ARISE Agenda.

He promised that bursary payment to Akwa Ibom students and other education support programmes would be implemented under his watch as the governor.

The governor said that his visit to the university was part of his desire and commitment towards self-development

“I finished my course work some years ago but could not proceed with the other requirements for the award of a PhD due to my political engagements.

“Having done my seminar presentation today, I am now ready to complete the entire process,” he said.

The governor presented a seminar paper titled: “Natural Resources Governance and Socio-Economic Development of Oil-Producing Communities in Akwa Ibom”