The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed four candidates for the forthcoming Ondo South Senatorial District by-election scheduled for June 20, 2026.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State, Dr. Mutiu Agboke, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Okitipupa, where he said four political parties had successfully fielded candidates for the election.
According to him, the candidates are from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), Action Peoples Party (APP) and the Boot Party.
The by-election is being conducted to fill the vacancy created by the appointment of former senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
Agboke assured stakeholders that the commission was fully prepared to conduct a free, fair and credible election across the six local government areas that make up the senatorial district.
He disclosed that 673,446 registered voters across 1,354 polling units and 66 wards in Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo, Odigbo, Irele, Ilaje, Ese-Odo and Okitipupa local government areas are expected to participate in the poll.
The REC said INEC had put in place all necessary logistics to ensure a smooth electoral process, including the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) to enhance transparency in voter accreditation and result transmission.
He further revealed that all sensitive election materials, including ballot papers and result sheets, had been received and secured ahead of the exercise.
According to him, 1,359 BVAS machines have been tested and certified for use, while 264 backup devices have also been provided to address any technical challenges that may arise on election day.
Agboke called on political parties, traditional rulers, community leaders, religious leaders and residents of the district to promote peace and support efforts aimed at ensuring a successful election.
He warned politicians and other individuals against engaging in acts capable of disrupting the electoral process, stressing that security agencies were fully prepared to deal with offenders.
“Nothing will determine the winner other than the votes of the people,” Agboke said, reiterating INEC’s commitment to neutrality and a credible electoral process.
Also speaking at the meeting, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Felix Ohagwu, represented by the Second-in-Command Area Commander, CSP Yusuf Waliu, urged political parties and their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully before, during and after the election.
He assured voters and residents that adequate security arrangements had been put in place to safeguard lives, property and electoral materials throughout the exercise.
Similarly, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) pledged to intensify voter education and public enlightenment campaigns to encourage peaceful participation and strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.
The June 20 by-election is expected to determine who succeeds Ibrahim in representing Ondo South Senatorial District in the Senate.
