Ondo State Chairman of the APC, Hon. Kolawole Babatunde, addressing the press
Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has inaugurated a 128-member Campaign Council and its sub-committees ahead of the June 20, 2026, Ondo South Senatorial bye-election, charging members to work tirelessly towards securing a decisive victory for the party.
The bye-election became necessary following the appointment of the former senator representing Ondo South, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the APC State Secretariat in Akure, came on the heels of the emergence of Prof. Adedayo Faduyile as the party’s candidate for the forthcoming poll.
Addressing members of the campaign council, the Ondo State Chairman of the APC, Hon. Kolawole Babatunde, described the election as a critical political exercise that would provide an indication of the party’s preparedness for the 2027 general elections.
Babatunde cautioned party members against treating the election as a mere formality, despite the APC’s growing popularity and dominance in the state’s political landscape.
“The forthcoming bye-election should not be seen as a done deal. Every member of this council must work assiduously to ensure victory for our candidate and the party,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the leader of the party in the state and Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, the state chairman urged members of the campaign council to take the party’s message to every part of the Ondo South Senatorial District and beyond.
He noted that the APC had continued to witness an influx of defectors from other political parties, a development he said reflected increasing public confidence in the ruling party. However, he warned against complacency and stressed the need for aggressive grassroots mobilisation and voter engagement.
According to him, “Although many politicians from other parties are joining the APC in large numbers, we must not relent. We must mobilise effectively and ensure that eligible voters come out en masse to vote for our party.”
In his acceptance remarks, the Chairman of the Campaign Council, Pastor Femi Agagu, thanked the party leadership for finding him worthy of the responsibility and assured members that the council would deliver victory at the polls.
He expressed confidence in the capacity of members of the campaign team, describing them as seasoned politicians with extensive experience in grassroots mobilisation and election management.
“I am delighted by the calibre of individuals assembled for this assignment. They are men and women with proven political experience and deep grassroots connections. Together, we shall deliver victory for our great party,” Agagu stated.
Immediately after the inauguration, the newly constituted 128-member Campaign Council held its inaugural meeting at the party secretariat under the leadership of Pastor Agagu.
At the meeting, the council chairman announced the division of the committee into various sub-committees to ensure effective coordination, strategic planning and efficient execution of campaign activities across the six local government areas of the senatorial district.
Reacting after the inauguration, the Director of Media and Publicity of the APC in Ondo State, Steve Otaloro, said the inauguration of the campaign council underscored the party’s determination to secure victory in the bye-election through intensive grassroots engagement and effective communication of its message to the electorate.
Otaloro noted that the APC remained united and focused on retaining the Ondo South Senatorial seat, expressing confidence that the party’s candidate, Prof. Adedayo Faduyile, would emerge victorious at the polls.
He stated that the campaign would be issue-driven and would highlight the achievements of the APC administration under Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, while presenting the party’s vision and programmes for the continued development of Ondo South.
“The inauguration of this campaign council demonstrates the seriousness with which our party approaches this election. We are confident that with the calibre of leaders and grassroots mobilisers assembled, the APC will secure a resounding victory on June 20,” Otaloro said.
The APC expressed optimism about its chances in the June 20 bye-election, reaffirming its commitment to an issue-based campaign that would showcase the achievements of the party and its vision for the people of Ondo South.
