Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa urged voters in the Ondo South Senatorial District to keep the peace as they head to the polls this Saturday, emphasizing that a calm election will help Dayo Faduyile of the All Progressives Congress (APC) secure the vacant Senate seat.
Peaceful voting is essential.
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Campaign rally frames the contest
Speaking at the APC’s final campaign rally in Okitupupa on Thursday, Aiyedatiwa said the former senator, Jimoh Ibrahim, left a high bar after his June 2026 appointment as Nigeria’s permanent envoy to the United Nations. “We cannot lower the standard,” he told the crowd, adding that Faduyile’s background makes him “the best candidate to represent the district.”
Deputy governor Olayide Adelami echoed the sentiment, noting Ibrahim’s reputation as an “egghead” and urging residents to turn out in large numbers. “We need quality representation,” Adelami said, urging supporters to vote for Faduyile.
Faduyile pledged a “people‑centred legislative agenda,” promising to focus on development projects, policies that improve livelihoods, and regular engagement with constituents. He told supporters that his goal is to “justify the confidence reposed in him through responsive, accountable, and impactful leadership.”
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The election follows the vacancy created when Senator Ibrahim was appointed to the United Nations. The seat has been empty since June, and the APC hopes to retain the constituency.
Observers note that the race could serve as a bellwether for the upcoming 2027 presidential contest, which many view as a test of Tinubu’s influence in the southwest.
Election officials have scheduled voting to begin at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Saturday. Polling stations across the district have been equipped with basic security measures, and the commission has urged citizens to report any disturbances.
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In a brief statement, the APC’s state campaign office said the party is “confident that the people of Ondo South will choose a candidate who can deliver results.” The office added that the party’s “growing popularity across the state” is reflected in the enthusiasm at recent rallies.
Election day will be the first test of Aiyedatiwa’s call for “orderly conduct,” and the outcome could shape the political scene ahead of the 2027 national elections.