Professor Dayo Faduyile of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has been declared winner of the Ondo South Senatorial District by-election held on Saturday, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. The result was officially announced on Sunday at the collation centre in Okitipupa Local Government Area by Professor Gbenga Solomon-Ibileye, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Lokoja, who served as the Returning Officer. Faduyile secured a total of 68,474 votes, the highest number cast in the election, marking a decisive victory in the contest.
Adeolu Akinwunmi of the Allied People’s Movement, APM, came in second with 1,411 votes. Adesanya Olaoluwa of the Action People’s Party, APP, polled 213 votes, while Clement Funso-Nejo of the Boot Party, BP, received 70 votes. The total number of votes cast during the election was 70,770, with 602 ballots declared invalid. The results reflect a strong voter turnout across the six local government areas that make up the Ondo South Senatorial District: Okitipupa, Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Irele, Odigbo, and Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner for INEC in Ondo State, Mr. Mutiu Agboke, described the by-election as a crucial preparatory exercise ahead of the 2027 general elections. He emphasized that the commission would review the few challenges encountered during the process to improve future electoral operations. Agboke also expressed gratitude that all INEC staff deployed to the riverine areas returned safely, and no major incidents were reported during the election.
The by-election was necessitated by the vacancy created when Senator Jimoh Ibrahim was appointed Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations. His departure left the Ondo South Senatorial seat unoccupied, prompting the need for a fresh election to fill the position. The smooth conduct of the election, despite logistical challenges in some areas, underscores the resilience and preparedness of INEC and its personnel.
The outcome of the election reflects the will of the people in the Ondo South Senatorial District, as affirmed by the Returning Officer and INEC officials. With the results now finalised, the focus shifts to the next phase of political engagement, as Nigeria continues to prepare for upcoming national elections. This by-election serves as a test run for electoral processes and sets a precedent for future contests across the country.
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