By Adesakin Adefemi
The Independent National Electoral Commission has declared Prof. Adedayo Faduyile of the All Progressives Congress winner of the Ondo South Senatorial District by-election held on Saturday, June 21, 2026.
INEC Returning Officer, Prof. Gbenga Solomon-Ibileye, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Lokoja, announced the result on Sunday at the collation centre in Okitipupa, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.
According to Solomon-Ibileye, Faduyile polled 68,474 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Adeolu Akinwunmi of the Allied People’s Movement, who scored 1,411 votes.
Adesanya Olaoluwa of the Action Peoples Party and Clement Funso-Nejo of the Boot Party trailed with 213 and 70 votes respectively, making it a decisive victory for the APC candidate.
The Returning Officer said a total of 70,770 votes were cast during the election, with 602 votes rejected. He confirmed that Faduyile met all constitutional requirements and was duly elected Senator representing Ondo South.
The by-election was conducted across six local government areas: Okitipupa, Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Irele, Odigbo and Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo. The seat became vacant after Senator Jimoh Ibrahim was appointed Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
Speaking on the exercise, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ondo State, Mutiu Agboke, said the poll served as a testing ground for the 2027 general elections. He noted that minor challenges recorded would help the commission improve future processes.
Agboke commended INEC staff for their diligence, especially those deployed to riverine areas. “The results of the election reflected the people’s voice and thank God that all INEC staff who went to the riverine came back safely and no negative report anywhere,” he said.
Faduyile, a former President of the Nigerian Medical Association, is expected to bring his expertise in public health to the Senate. Political observers say his landslide win signals continued APC dominance in Ondo South and boosts the party’s legislative strength ahead of 2027.
