By Ade Oyeyemi
The All Progressives Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, African Democratic Congress and Nigerian Democratic Congress are among the political parties preparing for a keen contest for the Ondo South Senatorial District seat in the 2027 general elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has released its final list of candidates for the senatorial election, with 11 contenders listed for the race.
The document, signed by INEC Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, names Duerimini Isaacs Kekemeke as the APC candidate and Matthew Oyerinmade Oye as the PDP flag bearer.
Nicholas Tofowomo will contest on the platform of the ADC, while Myson Adeyemi Nejo is listed as the candidate of the NDC. Ubojo Olatunji is representing the Social Democratic Party.
The contest is expected to attract considerable political attention across the district, which comprises Okitipupa, Irele, Odigbo, Ilaje, Ese-Odo and Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo local government areas.
Ondo South is one of the state’s three senatorial districts and the political base of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. The seat is expected to be keenly contested as political parties seek to secure representation in the National Assembly.
Among the issues likely to shape the campaigns are road infrastructure, electricity, employment, security, education, healthcare and the development of oil-producing and coastal communities.
The district, which hosts significant oil and gas activities, has continued to face concerns over infrastructure, environmental challenges and access to federal development projects.
Professor Dayo Faduyile of the APC currently occupies the seat after winning a by-election held to complete the tenure of Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, who was appointed Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations by President Bola Tinubu.
Faduyile, however, is not seeking re-election, leaving the field open for a new contest for the position.
A political scientist from Ondo South, Adeniyi Ojagbounmi, said voters would expect the candidates to demonstrate a clear understanding of the district’s challenges and present practical proposals for addressing them.
Ojagbounmi, who spoke to The Nation, argued that the election should focus on candidates’ competence, records and legislative capacity rather than party affiliations and campaign rhetoric.
He said the next senator would be expected to represent the district effectively at the National Assembly, attract federal projects and support policies capable of improving residents’ economic and social conditions.
According to him, inadequate infrastructure, electricity shortages, youth unemployment, limited access to healthcare and quality education, as well as the development of coastal communities, should feature prominently in campaign discussions.
“The people are no longer interested in empty promises. They want to know what each candidate intends to do differently and how such promises will translate into tangible benefits for the district,” he said.
Ojagbounmi added that the presence of candidates from different political parties could make the contest more competitive, urging voters to assess contenders based on their credibility, competence and ability to deliver.
He also encouraged eligible voters to participate actively in the election and make informed decisions, noting that the outcome would have significant implications for the district’s future development.
