KEY POINTS

• Dayo Faduyile of the APC has won the Ondo South Senatorial by-election.

• He secured 68,474 votes, defeating other candidates by a large margin.

• INEC says the election will help improve preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Dayo Faduyile of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Ondo South Senatorial District by-election held on Saturday.

The announcement was made on Sunday at the collation centre in Okitipupa, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State by INEC Returning Officer, Prof. Gbenga Solomon-Ibileye.

According to the official results, Faduyile polled a total of 68,474 votes to defeat his closest rival.

Adeolu Akinwunmi of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) came second with 1,411 votes, while Adesanya Olaoluwa of the Action People’s Party (APP) and Clement Funso-Nejo of the Boot Party (BP) scored 213 and 70 votes respectively.

INEC reported that the total votes cast stood at 70,770, with 602 votes rejected during the collation process.

Election Conduct Across Six LGAs

The by-election was conducted across six local government areas, including Okitipupa, Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Irele, Odigbo and Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo.

The election was held to fill the vacant seat following the appointment of Senator Jimoh Ibrahim as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

Speaking after the announcement, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ondo State, Mutiu Agboke, said the by-election served as a test run for the 2027 general elections.

He noted that minor challenges observed during the process would help improve future electoral operations.

Agboke also commended the safe conduct of electoral officials, particularly those deployed to riverine areas, stating that no major incidents were recorded.

INEC confirmed that the results reflected the will of the electorate in the senatorial district, formally declaring Faduyile the winner in line with electoral guidelines.

With the victory, the APC strengthens its political presence in Ondo State’s South Senatorial District following the conclusion of the by-election.