APM candidate Sunday Falae urges Ondo voters to reject vote‑buying and calls for accountability ahead of 2027 elections

Hon. Sunday Falae, the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) candidate for the Ondo Central senatorial seat, addressed voters in Akure on 8 November 2026, urging them to reject vote‑buying and to vote according to conscience in the upcoming 2027 general elections. He said that monetary inducements would no longer sway the electorate, citing widespread anger and a desire for change among Nigerians.

Falae also criticised the incumbent senator, alleging abandonment of constituents across the district’s six local government areas. He argued that the current representative has failed to deliver on promises, pointing to poorly managed empowerment programmes, such as a grinding machine given to a woman that was later sold because she could not transport it.

Background

Falae, a former All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, left the party citing a gap between campaign promises and legislative performance. He positioned his APM candidacy as a response to constituent complaints and a need for grassroots representation. In his interview, he described a “Rainbow Coalition” voting pattern, where voters support candidates from different parties for various offices. He demonstrated this point by describing a female voter planning to support the APC's presidential nominee, himself for a Senate seat, an ADC contender for the House of Representatives, and an SDP aspirant for the State House of Assembly.

Furthermore, he outlined the political landscape in the South-West, asserting that the 2027 presidential race ought to feature President Bola Tinubu of the APC against Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, whom he designated as the APM's presidential nominee. Falae explained that his refusal to join the African Democratic Congress stemmed from his desire to avoid campaigning against Tinubu, as he favored a Yoruba successor to finish the remaining four years of the South-West's presidential term.

Regarding public finance, Falae questioned the accountability of state governors, noting that increased allocations have not translated into visible development. He cited the Owena‑Alade‑Idanre road project, which he claimed was approved and paid for but remained unbuilt, suggesting the funds had been misappropriated.

Why it matters

Falae’s statements target several key stakeholders. Voters in Ondo Central are urged to consider integrity over financial incentives, potentially influencing voter behaviour in a district where no PDP senatorial candidate is contesting and the party has reportedly endorsed him. The allegations of misused public funds and abandoned projects, such as the unconstructed road, raise concerns about governance and fiscal transparency at both state and local levels.

His critique of the incumbent senator could affect the incumbent’s re‑election prospects, especially if constituents feel their needs have been neglected. The emphasis on a “Rainbow Coalition” may encourage cross‑party voting, altering traditional party loyalties in the region.

What happens next

Falae’s campaign will continue through the lead‑up to the 2027 National Assembly elections, with the APM positioning itself as an alternative to the APC and other parties. The incumbent senator’s performance and the unresolved Owena‑Alade‑Idanre road project may become focal points of voter scrutiny. The 2027 presidential race is expected to feature President Bola Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde, with the latter’s candidacy endorsed by the APM in Ondo Central. No specific dates for further rallies or legal challenges were provided in the sources.