Prof. Dayo Faduyile of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has emerged victorious in the Ondo South Senatorial District by-election held on Saturday, according to the official results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The outcome was declared on Sunday at the collation centre in Okitipupa Local Government Area by the election’s Returning Officer, Prof. Gbenga Solomon-Ibileye, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Lokoja.
Announcing the results, Solomon-Ibileye said Faduyile secured 68,474 votes to defeat other contenders in the race.
He stated that Adeolu Akinwunmi of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) finished second with 1,411 votes, while Adesanya Olaoluwa of the Action People’s Party (APP) polled 213 votes. Clement Funso-Nejo of the Boot Party recorded 70 votes.
According to the electoral umpire, a total of 70,770 votes were cast during the exercise, with 602 ballots declared invalid.
Speaking after the declaration, Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Mutiu Agboke, described the by-election as an important exercise that would provide useful lessons ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He noted that the commission would review minor challenges observed during the poll to improve future electoral processes.
Agboke expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election, adding that personnel deployed to difficult terrains, including riverine communities, returned safely without any adverse incidents.
The by-election was conducted across six local government areas comprising Okitipupa, Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Irele, Odigbo and Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo.
The poll was organised to fill the vacant Ondo South Senatorial seat following the appointment of former senator Jimoh Ibrahim as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.