The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured stakeholders that only the votes cast by the electorate will determine the outcome of the June 20, 2026, Ondo South Senatorial District bye-election.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Okitipupa, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ondo State, Dr. Mutiu Olaleke Agboke, said the Commission was fully prepared for the exercise and had activated all necessary logistics and security arrangements to ensure a credible poll.
The bye-election became necessary following the appointment of Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, who represented Ondo South under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
The Senate subsequently declared the seat vacant and directed INEC to conduct a fresh election in line with constitutional provisions.
According to Agboke, a total of 673,446 registered voters across six local government areas — Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo, Odigbo, Irele, Ilaje, Ese-Odo and Okitipupa — will participate in the election across 1,354 polling units and 66 registration areas.
He disclosed that the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) had been activated, with joint patrols and intelligence-driven deployments planned to safeguard the process, especially in identified flashpoints.
The REC urged political parties and supporters to conduct themselves peacefully, warning that anyone who attempts to undermine the electoral process would face the full weight of the law.
Four candidates are expected to contest the bye-election. They include Prof. Dayo Faduyile of the APC, Adeolu Akinwumi of the APM, Adesanya Olaoluwa of the APP and Nejo Funso Clement of the Boot Party.
Agboke called on eligible voters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), turn out early on election day, undergo accreditation using the BVAS and vote peacefully.
“Under my watch, nothing will determine the winner of any election other than the votes of the people,” he said.
