The Labour Party in Ondo says it is optimistic that its candidate, Ibrahim Abass, will win the by-election in Akoko North-East and Akoko North-West federal constituency.

The by-election scheduled for Saturday is to fill the seat for Akoko North-East and North-West federal constituency in Ondo State vacated by Bunmi Tunji-Ojo.

Mr Tunji-Ojo was appointed Minister of Interior in August 2023 by President Bola Tinubu.

BonifaceTaiwo, Labour Party’s youth leader in Ondo, in an interview in Akure on Tuesday, said the party had mobilised support ahead of the by-election slated for Saturday.

Mr Taiwo said the party was the only one united and without internal political crises in Ondo.

He said the Labour Party was on a rescue mission to bring dividends of democracy to the people’s doorsteps.

“I am 100 per cent sure that the Labour Party will win the Akoko North-East and Akoko North-West federal constituency by-election because of the unity and cooperation among the executives and members.

“Our party is the only party without a crisis in the state, and also, we have presented a good candidate who has the capacity to deliver if the mandate is given to him,” he said.

The youth leader, therefore, called on the electorate not to sell their votes but to vote for the party’s candidate on election day.

“Our party is ready to comply with the rules and regulations guiding the election coming up on February 3. We are only appealing to security agencies to rise up to the task and discharge their duties professionally without favouring any political party,” he said.

Eight political parties, with one female candidate and seven males, are contesting in the by-election.

The political parties and candidates are African Democratic Congress, Ishmail Adeshina; All Progressive Congress, Ehindero Ifeoluwa Babajide; All Progressives Grand Alliance, Adesuyi Victoria; Action’s People Party, Ajagunna Olarewaju Abimbola; Labour Party, Ibrahim Abass Arisekola; New Nigeria Peoples Party, Akadiri Mukaila Olusola; Peoples Democratic Party, Bada Olalekan Oladapo; and Social Democratic Party, Ogunleye Muritala Idowu.

(NAN)