The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released guidelines and timetable for the 2023 elections. By next month the plethora of aspirants will transmute to just four main candidates – two House of Reps candidates for All Progressive Congress (APC) Irele/Okitipupa Federal Constituency, and two for Senate for Ondo South for Ondo South for APC and PDP. There could be independent candidates and other candidates from fringe parties.

Since the Fourth Republic began in 1999, the contest to represent Okitipupa/Irele Federal constituency has not been an easy ride for aspirants and candidates.

Sometimes have sprung up surprises and underdogs have emerged on occasions. Generally, Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency has been difficult to predict when it comes to House of Representatives.

In 1999 when the entire South West voted Alliance for Democracy (AD) for House of Reps, this constituency voted People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Subsequent elections have followed this pattern and PDP has dominantly represented the area in the lower chamber at Abuja. But 2023 looks like going to be the fiercest contest for so many reasons and political watchers are intensely watching whether the norm would be broken this time.

The top contenders for party tickets for the coveted position, for now are: In the APC,, Prince Jimi Odimayo, Chief Toye Albert and Kola Akinmosun. In the PDP, the top runners are Comrade J.J. Bayo Adekanle, Hon. Yomi Sheba and the incumbent, Hon. Gboluga Ikengboju.

For the Senate, the race is bound to fall in line with geo-political configuration of Ondo South Senatorial District.

The incumbent Senator Towofomo is from Ile Oluji Okeigbo who won under an unknown party in a clandestine move to deny Senator Yele Omogunwa a return to the senate in the last election. Experts predict that he has little or no chance this time based on the political coup that brought him to power and the fact that finally IleOluji Okeigbo has finally produced a senator making the position to have gone round all local governments in the senatorial one except Ese Odo. As of today, Odigbo, Ilaje, Ileoluji Okeigbo, Irele, and Okitipupa had represented the area. 

Experts however warn that naira rain could just usher in Towofomo again, but his records of performance so far might make him a liability to the PDP if he wins the ticket. Ikale-Ilaje-Apoi will not trade the ticket this time.

They will simply use their bond and numerical strength.

Read our analysis and you will know who will emerge the ticket bearers of the parties. Visit ikalenews.com.