Despite the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Prof. Dayo Faduyile, in the recently concluded Ondo South Senatorial District by-election, a pro-President Bola Tinubu support group, Grassroots Movement for Tinubu (GMT), has expressed concern over what it described as a significant decline in the party’s electoral fortunes in the district.
The Ondo State chapter of GMT noted that the outcome of the election should serve as a wake-up call for the ruling party to urgently embrace reconciliation, unity and renewed grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
In a statement issued by its Director of Media, Mr Ojo Oyewamide, the group congratulated Faduyile on his victory but noted that the voting statistics from the by-election revealed a worrying trend that should not be ignored by party leaders.
According to GMT, while the APC secured victory in the senatorial contest, the party’s total votes in the six local government areas of Ondo South fell sharply when compared with its performance in the 2024 governorship election.
The group recalled that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa polled 126,196 votes across the district during the governorship election, with the APC recording 26,811 votes 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.
It, however, noted that in last Saturday’s by-election, the party garnered 68,474 votes, a development it described as a substantial reduction in voter turnout and support base.
GMT said the decline became even more significant considering that several prominent figures of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including the party’s 2024 governorship candidate, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, and many of his supporters, had since defected to the APC.
The group warned against complacency, insisting that electoral victory should inspire introspection rather than celebration alone.
The statement “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 mobilisation.
“The APC in Ondo State must urgently embark on genuine reconciliation and inclusive party-building. Every stakeholder must be carried along and every tendency within the party must feel valued and respected.”
GMT further urged Governor Aiyedatiwa to intensify development efforts across the state and consolidate on projects initiated by past administrations, particularly those of the late former governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
It highlighted projects such as the Ore Interchange Bridge, Okitipupa township roads and the Onisere Road project as initiatives that had positively impacted the people of the district.
The group also commended President Tinubu for ongoing federal projects in the state, including the rehabilitation of the Ore-Ondo-Akure Road and the dualisation of the Ilesha-Akure-Benin Expressway, saying the projects had strengthened public confidence in the Federal Government.
While describing the road to the 2027 presidential election as already underway, GMT said the APC must remain united and focused if it hopes to maximise its electoral potential in the state.
According to the group, its target is to deliver not less than one million votes for President Tinubu in Ondo State during the next presidential election.
“The significant decline in votes recorded in the by-election compared with previous elections should serve as a warning signal and a call for unity, reconciliation and intensified governance. This is a strategic concern. The road to 2027 begins now,” the statement added.
GMT also praised the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for his support for grassroots political groups promoting the Renewed Hope Agenda across the state.
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