Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the African Democratic Congress has strengthened its ranks in Ondo State with the emergence of two former Peoples Democratic Party senators and a former Niger Delta Development Commission representative as candidates for the National Assembly polls.
Former Ondo South senator, Nicholas Tofowomo, secured the ADC senatorial ticket for Ondo South, while ex-lawmaker Patrick Ayo Akinyelure emerged as the party’s candidate for Ondo Central Senatorial District.
The party also handed its Ondo North senatorial ticket to former PDP governorship aspirant, Foluso Mayowa Adefemi, during its primary exercise held in the state.
In the House of Representatives race, former Ondo State representative on the NDDC and immediate past governorship candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Gbenga Edema, clinched the ADC ticket for Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency.
A former PDP stalwart and philanthropist, Balarabe Akinwumi, also emerged as the party’s candidate for Akure North/South Federal Constituency.
Other candidates unveiled by the party included Omosuyi Abayomi for Irele/Okitipupa, Samuel Adesida for Owo/Ose, Olafunmiloye Olufemi for Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo/Odigbo, as well as Samuel Akinkunola, Adegunloye Adeusi and Abiloye Olutade for Akoko South East/South West Federal Constituency.
Speaking shortly after the exercise, Akinwumi expressed optimism about the ADC’s chances in the forthcoming elections, arguing that many residents were disenchanted with the administration of the ruling All Progressives Congress at both the state and federal levels.
He said his longstanding relationship with the grassroots and understanding of the people’s plight would guide his representation if elected into the House of Representatives.
Tofowomo, meanwhile, urged voters to assess his previous performance in the Senate, noting that he facilitated community projects, established police stations and empowered residents through skills acquisition programmes and distribution of tools.
According to him, the electorate would reward competence and performance at the polls.
Akinyelure attributed his defection from the APC to what he described as unresolved crises within the ruling party and growing public dissatisfaction with governance.
The former senator added that the ADC was already benefiting from discontent trailing the APC primaries, stressing that many of the party’s candidates emerged through consensus and enjoyed grassroots acceptance.
He charged party members and candidates to intensify mobilisation efforts ahead of the elections.
The Ondo State Chairman of the ADC, Chief Tola Alabere, described the conduct of the primaries as peaceful and transparent, saying it reflected the party’s preparedness for the next general elections.
Alabere also predicted deeper cracks within the APC over alleged imposition of candidates, insisting that the ADC was well positioned to capitalise on the situation in the state.