Faduyile emerges APC candidate for Ondo South bye-election

. Scores 16,312 votes to defeat Agagu, ex-Speaker Akindele

. Set to contest vacant Ondo South Senatorial seat on June 20

By Tolulope Eniola

The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday concluded its Ondo South Senatorial District bye-election primary, with Prof. Dayo Faduyile emerging as the frontrunner after polling 16,312 votes.

The results of the exercise were announced at the party secretariat by the Chairman of the Southern Senatorial District Bye-election Committee, Aginde Terver, who described the APC as a united family despite the keenly contested primary.

Addressing party leaders, aspirants, members, Terver urged stakeholders to close ranks and work collectively for the success of the party ahead of the senatorial election and the 2027 general election.

“The most important thing is for us to achieve what is our target in the 2027 general election,” he said.

“As a united family, it is expected that whatever outcome of every election, we have to embrace ourselves and move forward for the victory ahead of us.”

Terver subsequently announced that Prof. Francis Faduyile secured 16,312 votes to top the contest.

According to the committee chairman, Oluwafemi Agagu polled 2,200 votes, while a former Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Jumoke Akindele, garnered 2,686 votes.

He added that a former Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu, secured 1,620 votes.

Terver, however, clarified that the formal declaration of the winner would be made in Abuja in accordance with the party’s guidelines and directives.

“Due to the guidelines and the instructions of this proceedings, I hope you are aware that the declaration is not done by the committee. The declaration will be done in Abuja,” he stated.

Reacting to the outcome, Faduyile described the primary as peaceful, transparent and participatory, commending party members for their conduct during the exercise.

“I’m happy that it was peaceful and every member of APC actively participated and their voice is known. I believe that this is what we call participatory democracy,” he said.

The former President of the Nigerian Medical Association and former Special Adviser on Health to late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu also expressed confidence that the APC would emerge victorious in the June 20, 2026 senatorial bye-election.