By Akindele Orimolade
In a matter of days, the grand illusion of power will dissolve. The law will force political gladiators out of the comfort of office and into the unforgiving arena of public judgment. Stripped of titles, privileges, and official cover, they will stand exposed—no longer as officeholders, but as mere aspirants seeking validation from an electorate that is no longer naïve.
Nowhere is this political reckoning more intense than in Ondo North.
Across Akoko land—particularly in Akoko North East and Akoko North West—a silent uprising is taking shape. The era of passive voters is fading fast. In its place stands a politically awakened populace—alert, discerning, and unwilling to be swayed by empty promises or recycled propaganda. The people are no longer spectators in the democratic process; they are judges, preparing to subject every ambition to a brutal test of credibility, competence, and character.
While the House of Representatives race may still lean on entrenched loyalties, the senatorial contest has spiraled into a fierce, high-stakes battle. Spanning four Akoko local governments alongside Owo and Ose, Ondo North has become a volatile political theatre where only those armed with strategy, grassroots appeal, and intellectual depth can survive.
History looms large. For over a decade, Professor Ajayi Boroffice held sway in the district before Senator Jide Ipinsagba took the reins in 2023. But that triumph was not forged in isolation—it was powered by a formidable political machine led by a key House of Representatives figure who has since ascended to the Federal Executive Council, aligning closely with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and reinforcing the APC’s grip on Ondo North.
Today, that structure is no longer intact.
Its architect has moved on, leaving behind a fractured base and a power vacuum that has upended old equations. What has emerged is not a predictable succession, but a chaotic scramble—an open contest where certainty has given way to fierce competition and shifting alliances.
And the people are watching—with unprecedented vigilance.
The electorate has grown sharper, more demanding. Slogans no longer suffice. Records are being dissected. Competence is under the microscope. Character is being weighed with new seriousness. Sentiment is rapidly уступing ground to substance as the defining currency of political relevance.
A deeper shift is also unfolding. Leadership is no longer seen as a refuge for personal reinvention. Increasingly, voters are wary of candidates seeking office as an escape from private burdens. What Ondo North now demands are leaders defined by clarity, stability, and purpose—individuals ready to serve, not to seek redemption.
At the heart of this unfolding drama lies a pivotal question: will the will of the people prevail, or will entrenched interests once again dictate the outcome?
This time, the answer may not be brokered in backroom deals or sealed in elite caucuses. It will be decided where it truly matters—at the ballot box.
The Contenders: Power, Strategy, Survival
Senator Jide Ipinsagba
The incumbent is digging in for a fierce re-election battle. With calculated moves, he is consolidating influence within the National Assembly and leveraging strategic alliances—particularly within the Niger Delta oil bloc, to strengthen his standing. Yet, on the home front, mixed sentiments among constituents threaten to erode his advantage, leaving his path to renomination far from secure.
Hon. Otunba Gbenga Otolorin Elegbeleye
A seasoned political operator, Elegbeleye brings structure, experience, and deep grassroots , especially in Akoko North East. His standing within party hierarchies and traditional institutions bolsters his profile. However, the decisive test remains whether his network of influence can translate into a winning coalition.
Chief Tunji Kunle Abdul (ATM)
The race’s disruptor, Abdul blends financial muscle with grassroots philanthropy. A corporate heavyweight with visible social impact through medical outreach and educational support, he has built real connections at the community level. Backed by influential interests within the federal corridor, his candidacy represents a calculated push to recalibrate the political order in Ondo North; injecting both momentum and uncertainty into the contest. He holds the traditional title of Balogun of Ikare Akoko.
Mrs. Omowunmi Isaac
For now, she is the only aspirant from Akoko. She is from Owo, one of the Federal Constituencies that has produced senators for the District.As Commissioner for Finance, she remains firmly embedded within the state’s power structure. Her continued presence in the cabinet signals strong confidence from the highest levels of government. Representing continuity and institutional backing, she is widely regarded as a potential consensus candidate; should the political pendulum swing in her favour.
Prince Afolabi Momoh
A relatively new entrant with international exposure, Momoh is steadily building traction. With strong connections to federal power brokers and growing acceptance among traditional and religious leaders, he represents an emerging force seeking to convert elite endorsement into grassroots momentum.
As 2027 approaches, Ondo North stands at a decisive crossroads. The masks have fallen. Alliances are fluid. Old structures are shaking.
And for the first time in years, the balance of power may truly be shifting—away from political kingmakers and back to where it belongs: the people.
