Former PDP lawmakers win ADC tickets in Ondo

By Boye Oyeyemi

Two former senators elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party have secured tickets of the African Democratic Congress for the 2027 National Assembly elections in Ondo State.

The former lawmaker representing Ondo South Senatorial District, Nicholas Tofowomo, emerged as the ADC candidate for the district, while ex-Senator Patrick Ayo Akinyelure clinched the party’s ticket for Ondo Central Senatorial District.

Also, a former PDP governorship aspirant, Foluso Mayowa Adefemi, was equally picked as the party’s senatorial candidate for Ondo North Senatorial District during the party’s primary.

In the House of Representatives category, philanthropist and former PDP chieftain, Balarabe Akinwumi, emerged as the ADC candidate for the Akure North/Akure South Federal Constituency. Former Ondo State representative on the Niger Delta Development Commission and ex-NNPP governorship candidate, Gbenga Edema, also secured the ticket for Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency.

Other candidates produced by the party include Omosuyi Abayomi for Irele/Okitipupa, Samuel Adesida for Owo/Ose, Olafunmiloye Olufemi for Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo/Odigbo, alongside Samuel Akinkunola, Adegunloye Adeusi and Abiloye Olutade for Akoko South East/South West Federal Constituency.

Speaking after the exercise, Akinwumi expressed confidence in winning the election, alleging that many residents were dissatisfied with the administration of the All Progressives Congress at both the state and national levels.

Tofowomo, on his part, said his achievements during his time in the senate would work in his favour during the election, disclosing that he facilitated projects, empowerment programmes and vocational training for constituents while in office.

On the other hand, Akinyelure said he dumped the APC for the ADC due to internal crises within the ruling party, adding that the opposition party would benefit from the fallout of the APC primaries. The ADC Chairman in the state, Tola Alabere, described the primary election as peaceful and predicted that the party would gain from alleged discontent within the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.