Senate Changes

Two of Ondo State’s three senatorial seats saw new candidates emerge from the review.

For Ondo Central Senatorial District, Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire (SAN) replaced Dr Taiwo Fasoranti. In Ondo North Senatorial District, Senator Olajide Ipinsagba took the ticket from Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye. The Ondo South Senatorial District ticket remained unchanged, with Hon. Isaac Kekemeke retaining his candidacy.

Notably, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, who previously represented Ondo South before his appointment to the United Nations, will not be returning to the Senate.

House of Representatives Changes

Six House of Representatives seats in the state were also affected.

Hon. Kayode Adejana was replaced by Hon. Timehin Adelegbe for the Owo/Ose Federal Constituency, while Hon. Okunjimi John Odimayo took over from Hon. Olumuyiwa Daramola for Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency.

In Ilaje/Ese Odo Federal Constituency, Hon. Donald Ojogo displaced Mr Akingboye Leke, and Hon. Festus Olarewaju Akingbaso replaced Hon. Rasaq Obe in Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency.

Dr Abiola Makinde lost the APC ticket for Ondo East/Ondo West Federal Constituency to Hon. Dr Michael Olajide Akintomide. In Ile Oluji/Okeigbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency, Oyerinmade Matthew was replaced by Hon. Festus Ayodele Adefiranye.

Candidates Whose Results Were Upheld

Four House of Representatives candidates were unaffected by the review: Ifeoluwa Ehindero for Akoko Northeast/Northwest; Adegboyega Adefarati for Akoko Southwest/Southeast; and Omowummi Olatunji — the only female candidate on the list — for Akure North/South Federal Constituency.

Isaac Kekemeke also retained the Ondo South senatorial ticket.

In addition to the two returning senators, six House of Representatives members secured their return tickets, with the exception of Prince Abiodun Adesida of Akure North/South and Dr Abiola Makinde of Ondo East/West.

The concerns followed Thursday’s disclosure by the INEC National Commissioner in charge of Voter Education and Publicity, Mohammed Haruna, who stated that the commission had yet to receive budgetary releases for the 2027 general elections.

Haruna, who spoke during a cross-sectoral interactive session organised by the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Abuja, however added that the commission had already commenced preparations in line with the Electoral Act.

He explained that while the law provides that election funds should be released not later than six months before the general election, INEC had begun arrangements for the procurement of critical election materials, including new Bimodal Voter Accreditation System machines to replace devices that were damaged, lost or not recovered after previous elections.

Haruna also disclosed that the commission planned mock presidential election exercises to test its technology infrastructure and prevent a recurrence of the technical glitches that affected the INEC Result Viewing Portal during the 2023 presidential election.

INEC has proposed a budget of N873.78bn for the 2027 elections, covering election operations, technology deployment and capital expenditure, making it one of the largest electoral budgets in the country’s history.

Election experts say timely funding remains one of the most critical factors in election planning because many sensitive materials, technology platforms and specialised equipment are sourced internationally and require months of production, testing and delivery before deployment across Nigeria’s more than 176,000 polling units.

Over the years, INEC has maintained that early release of appropriated funds enables it to procure sensitive and non-sensitive materials, recruit and train ad hoc personnel, upgrade election technology, conduct voter education campaigns and fine-tune logistics well ahead of election day.

The issue has assumed greater significance following the logistical and technological challenges that trailed the 2023 general elections, particularly the delayed upload of presidential election results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal.

Delayed funding threatens 2027 polls – Opposition

Against this backdrop, opposition parties said any delay in funding the electoral commission could have far-reaching implications for the credibility and smooth conduct of the elections.

Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, the National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Bolaji Abdullahi, described the delay as disturbing.

He said, “It has very serious implications because INEC has to carry out a lot of procurement, many of which are imports.

“If those procurements have not been made by now, it may pose serious threats to the election in the months ahead.”

He stressed that election management requires long-term planning and early deployment of resources, warning that any delay in funding could affect the commission’s ability to meet key timelines.

Similarly, the Peoples Democratic Party warned that delayed funding could undermine the integrity of the electoral process.

Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, the Publicity Secretary of the Tanimu Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee, Ini Ememobong, said elections operate on strict constitutional and administrative timelines that should not be compromised.

He stated, “The failure to adequately fund the Independent National Electoral Commission at this stage may be part of a broader strategy not only to undermine the electoral process but to derail it entirely. Elections are time-bound, and many critical activities must be carried out according to strict timelines.

“Most of the required materials and logistics cannot simply be procured off the shelf at the last minute. The continued delay in releasing funds therefore reflects a grave level of irresponsibility and a lack of commitment to democracy.

“The National Assembly and the executive arm of government must urgently ensure that INEC is adequately funded and that all relevant agencies receive the necessary resources to effectively discharge their responsibilities ahead of the elections.”

Also, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the NDC, Abdulmumin Abdulsalam, described the delay as worrisome but expressed confidence that the executive and the National Assembly would ensure the electoral body received the necessary funding before it became a major problem.

He said, “Of course, this delay is a source of concern because the companies providing those services and materials will require time to produce them. Besides, many are not done in Nigeria because of security features.

“However, I don’t think it can mar the conduct of the forthcoming election since the executive arm of government is responsible for funding INEC.

“I am sure they equally know the implication. I also want to believe that the National Assembly, as an institution, is monitoring the situation and will do the needful to ensure we don’t fall into a quagmire.

“I have a strong conviction that something will be done in time for INEC to make adequate preparations in terms of staff training, procurement of devices, materials and other logistics.”

He appealed to voters across the state to support the PDP in the forthcoming elections. The development comes amid the lingering leadership dispute within the PDP in Taraba State.

The candidates presented belong to the Wike-aligned faction, which continues to lay claim to the party’s structure in the state despite the ongoing internal crisis.