Ondo By-Election: APC group expresses concern over ‘alarming’ voter apathy

A group within the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Tuesday expressed concerns over what it describes as a drastic decline in turnout of voters during the Ondo South by-election held on Saturday.

The Grassroots Movement for Tinubu GMT, Ondo State chapter stated that the sharp decline witnessed in voter turnout, when compared to previous elections held in the state, calls for reflection.

While congratulating the winner of the by-election, Prof. Dayo Faduyile of the APC, GMT in a statement issued by its Director of Media, Ojo Oyewamide, maintained that the development should serve as a “wake-up call” for the party in the state, particularly since the 2027 general election is fast approaching.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had declared Faduyile, a former National President of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, winner after polling 68,474 votes across the six local government areas of the senatorial district.

The group, which described the outing of the APC as unimpressive, disclosed that the party was able to secure a total of 126,196 votes in the senatorial district in the 2024 governorship election that produced Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

“According to the distribution of the votes, APC in 2024 scored 26,811 in Okitipupa, 17,127 in Irele, 24,414 in Ilaje, 14,511 in Ese-Odo, 26,683 in Odigbo, and 16,600 in Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo.

“This development is even more noteworthy considering that Hon. Agboola Ajayi, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the 2024 election, alongside several notable PDP leaders and supporters, has since joined the APC. Ordinarily, the influx of such political heavyweights and their supporters should have translated into increased electoral strength for our party.

“The lesson is clear. Victory should not breed complacency. Rather, it should inspire introspection, reconciliation, and renewed grassroots mobilization. The APC in Ondo State must urgently embark on genuine reconciliation and inclusive party-building. Every stakeholder must be carried along.

“The task before us is bigger than any individual or group. We cannot afford internal divisions at a time when preparations for the 2027 presidential election should already be gathering momentum.

“GMT also wishes to commend the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for his unwavering commitment to the success of President Tinubu and the APC. His support for various grassroots political groups has significantly expanded the reach of the Renewed Hope message across Ondo State,” Oyewamide said.