Ondo South By-Election: Four Political Parties Jostle for Senate Seat

Four political parties will battle for the vacant Ondo South Senatorial seat in the by-election scheduled for June 20, 2026, as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) intensifies preparations for credible poll.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State, Dr. Mutiu Agboke, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Okitipupa, where he announced that the All Progressives Congress (APC), Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), Action Peoples Party (APP) and the Boot Party had successfully fielded candidates for the election.

The by-election is being conducted to fill the vacancy created by the appointment of former senator representing Ondo South, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

Agboke assured stakeholders that INEC was fully prepared to conduct a free, fair and transparent election across the six local government areas that make up the senatorial district.

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According to him, 673,446 registered voters spread across 1,354 polling units and 66 wards in Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo, Odigbo, Irele, Ilaje, Ese-Odo and Okitipupa local government areas are expected to participate in the exercise.

He noted that the commission had put all necessary logistics in place, including the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) to ensure transparency in the conduct of the election and the transmission of results.

The REC disclosed that all sensitive election materials, including ballot papers and result sheets, had been received and secured, while 1,359 BVAS machines had been tested and certified for use. He added that 264 backup devices had also been provided to address any technical issues that may arise on election day.

Agboke appealed to political parties, community leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders and parents to promote peace before, during and after the election.

He warned politicians, thugs and other troublemakers against any attempt to disrupt the electoral process, stressing that security agencies would not hesitate to enforce the law.

“Nothing will determine the winner other than the votes of the people,” he said, reaffirming the commission’s neutrality and commitment to a credible electoral process.

Also speaking, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Felix Ohagwu, represented by the Second-in-Command Area Commander, CSP Yusuf Waliu, urged political parties and their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully throughout the election period.

He assured residents that security agencies had put adequate measures in place to guarantee the safety of voters and electoral officials.

Similarly, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) pledged its support for voter education and public enlightenment campaigns aimed at encouraging peaceful participation in the election.