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As The Next ONDO South Senator
The battle to replace Senator Jimoh Ibrahim at the Senate is becoming more intense with each passing day. This is because several politicians particularly from the ruling APC are now in last minutes lobbying to replace him as the senator representing Ondo South at the Senate following his ambassadorial nomination.
Senator Ibrahim will represent Nigeria as its Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
Prominent contenders from the district include former APC senatorial aspirant Morayo Lebi, who has been touring the different wards in Ondo South and meeting with key stakeholders in a bid to actualizing his dreams.
Also, former House of Representatives member, Mayowa Akinfolarin is eyeing the vacant seat. Perhaps another surprise entrant is former SSG, Princess Oladunni Odu. There is also former Ondo Speaker Jumoke Akindele, and Otunba Kayode Fakuyi and Boye Oyewunmi.
But who really are these politicians trying to fill up the vacant slot left by Senator Ibrahim following his ambassadorial posting to the United Nations,how strong are they and what really is their pedigree.City People unveils these Ondo South Politicians eyeing the billionaire politician’s seat.
MORAYO LEBI
The 60yr old from Akotogbo, Irele LG area of Ondo State is an astute Lawyer. Barrister Morayo Lebi had his secondary education at Igbobi College, Yaba, Lagos, from where he passed out with distinction and later graduated from University of Lagos where he studied law. He has made his marks as a successful lawyer where he has committed almost 30 years. He has also extended his tentacles to other business endeavours. The string of professional awards, honours and recognitions that have come the way of Barr, Morayo Lebi attest to his contributions to the growth and development of Nigeria’s legal practice in particular and the economy in general.In 2014, he succumbed to the pressure of heeding the clarion calls of his people to join Politics so as to elevate the standard of both the political game and the practitioners.
Barrister Lebi shunned all entreaties to join the ruling party, PDP and instead pitched his tent with the APC. He deployed his personal resources to build the party in Ondo State, especially, in the southern Senatorial District that comprises 6 local government areas. It’s on record that he virtually rented and furnished most of the party’s secretariats, from ward to the state levels.Twice ,Lebi contested to represent his people as a Senator, twice he was denied. The last experience was so provoking people thought he was done with politics. However, he has resharpened his political armour while poised to replacing Ibrahim as the Senator representing Ondo South at the National Assembly.
MAYOWA AKINFOLARIN
The Lawmaker should be one of the strongest of the lot. This is because Akinfolarin has the experience having been a former Federal Lawmaker representing Okeigbo/Odigbo Fed Constituency.Before then ,he also served as a member of the Ondo State House of Assembly between 2003-2011 where he rose to be Deputy Speaker .The Politician is a sociology graduate of Ahmadu Bello University,Zaria.
PRINCESS CATHERINE OLADUNNI ODU
Odu is a seasoned Nigerian administrator, lawyer, and politician from Okitipupa. This woman made history as the first female Secretary to the Ondo State Government (SSG) and has held key roles including Commissioner for Education, Commissioner for Women Affairs, and Chairman of the Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board ,SUBEB. She attended St. Louis Secondary School, Ondo (1964–1968). Obtained a National Diploma in Secretariat Studies from Ibadan Polytechnic (1973) and a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Sociology from the University of Benin (1979). Odu obtained a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from Nigerian Law School (1990) and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) with distinction from the University of Lagos (1992).
HON. PRINCESS JUMOKE AKINDELE
She is the first female Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly elected in 2011, Okitipupa constituency II) she stands a very big chance in her bid to replace Sen. Jimoh Ibrahim especially if they are to consider gender equality.
Akindele holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, and practiced law before venturing into politics in 2006.
KAYODE FAKUYI
The 37yr old popular activist, legislative consultant, and stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is one politician to be taken seriously. He is also contesting the Ondo South senatorial seat to replace Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, highlighting his background in political development and youth leadership. He is a prominent APC chieftain in Ondo South who has focused on contributing to the political development of Ikaleland and the broader Ondo South region.
Fakuyi declared his intention to contest the vacant Ondo South senatorial seat in December 2025, positioning himself as a prepared alternative for the position.
Described as a brilliant, young, and vibrant activist, he entered the political scene with a focus on delivering quality representation. He has advocated for women’s representation in the National Assembly, urging for reserved seats in the 2027 elections.
His campaign is centered on leveraging his experience as a legislative consultant and having deep knowledge of Ondo South Politics.
BOYE OYEWUMI
Boye is the CEO, Ondo State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA). He is an alumnus of the University of Maiduguri, Nigeria, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree and holds an MBA in Business Administration from Middlesex University, UK.
Boye oversees all aspects of Investments and Development for the Government of Ondo State, Nigeria. He is the Pioneer CEO and Vice-Chairman of the Board of ONDIPA, the State’s investment, development, and promotions agency, which seeks investments to Ondo State through Greenfield, Brownfield, Public-Private Partnerships of State-owned assets, and concessions.
Under his visionary leadership, ONDIPA has created a comprehensive Investors roadmap that captures the State’s Industrialization Master-plan and has since pioneered the State’s Open for Business program, including the commencement of flights between Nigeria’s economic hubs, the commencement of commercial production of Bitumen from Q3, 2019, and spearheading the development of the Port of Ondo – the only true deep-sea port in Nigeria capable of managing 10,000 – 14,000 TEU vessels. ONDIPA has also initiated the plan for Sunshine City (Ondo Industrial City) as a free trade zone.
Boye is also the Vice-Chairman of the board of Okitipupa Oil Palm Plc and sits on many other boards including companies quoted on the Nigeria Stock exchange across the nation.The suave businessman and politician has also thrown his hat in the ring to contest the vacant Ondo South seat. He sits on a war chest capable of swaying the contest in his favor.
–WOLE ALAKIJA
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