ONDO SOUTH BYE-ELECTION: APC MAY EMERGE UNCHALLENGED AS OPPOSITION PARTIES STAY SILENT

Indications have emerged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) may be heading for a comfortable outing in the June 20, 2026, Ondo South senatorial bye-election, following what appears to be a lull in activities among major opposition parties in the state.

Findings indicate that key opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and other political platforms, are yet to show visible signs of preparation for the poll, despite the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s June 2 deadline for nomination of candidates.

In contrast, the APC has concluded its primary election process and has formally presented its candidate, Prof. Dayo Faduyile, OON, setting the stage for what could become a largely uncontested race.

Checks show that while parties are expected to have concluded internal primaries and uploaded candidates’ details within INEC’s stipulated timetable, there is little public indication that the opposition blocs are either conducting primaries or mobilising structures ahead of the exercise.

Some political stakeholders, in separate interactions, attributed the apparent low engagement by opposition parties to strategic calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections, suggesting that resources may be conserved for the larger electoral contest.

Others, however, pointed to concerns about the cost of contesting isolated bye-elections and raised questions about the perceived advantage of the ruling party in terms of structure and access to state machinery—claims which continue to shape political discourse in the state.

Analysts warn that a weak or fragmented opposition could significantly alter the democratic balance in the district, depriving voters of competitive choice and potentially reinforcing a one-sided electoral outcome.

They argue that a united opposition front, if properly coordinated, could still alter the dynamics of the race, but time is fast running out given INEC’s tightening electoral schedule.

With days to the nomination deadline, attention now shifts to whether opposition parties will make last-minute moves or effectively cede the field, leaving the APC in a dominant position ahead of the poll.