The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Ifeoluwa Ehindero, winner of the Akoko North-East and Akoko North-West Federal constituency by-election in Ondo State.

Johnson Fasinmirin of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), the Returning Officer of the election, declared Mr Ehindero winner after the counting of votes at the collation centre at Victory College, Ikare-Akoko on Saturday.

Mr Fasinmirin said the APC candidate polled 35,504 votes to defeat his closest rival, Olalekan Bada of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who had 15,328 votes.

The returning officer said the total votes cast were 51,896, with valid votes cast being 51,341, while 555 were rejected.

“The election was contested, and Ehindero Ifeoluwa Babajide of APC polled 35,504 while Bada Olalekan Oladapo scored 15,328.

“That Ehindero Ifeoluwa Babajide of APC, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and returned elected,” he said.

Mr Ehindero defeated Mr Bada with 20,176 votes to emerge the winner, while African Democratic Congress candidate Ishmail Adeshina, with 213 votes, came third.

The Akoko North-East and Akoko North-West Federal Constituency seats became vacant following the resignation of Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, appointed Minister of Interior by President Bola Tinubu.

Candidates from eight political parties contested the vacant seat to represent the constituency in the House of Representatives. The parties are ADC, APC, APGA, PDP, NNPP, APP, SDP and LP.

(NAN)