Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has pledged to strengthen development efforts and improve the quality of life of residents after securing a second term mandate in the 2026 governorship election. The governor made the commitment after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially declared him the winner of the election, describing the victory as a reflection of the confidence and support of Ekiti people. Oyebanji, who contested under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said the outcome of the election represents more than a political victory, but a renewed responsibility to deliver stronger governance, expand opportunities, and ensure that development reaches communities across the state. According to the governor, the renewed mandate shows that residents are seeking continuity, stability, and sustained progress. He promised that his administration would focus on policies and projects that directly impact families and local communities. “This mandate means that our work must touch every household even deeper,” Oyebanji stated, emphasizing that the next phase of his administration would prioritize wider public benefits. INEC Announces Final Election Results The electoral commission declared Oyebanji winner in the early hours of Sunday, with the Returning Officer for the election, Professor Adenike Oladiji, announcing the final results at about 3:13 a.m. The APC candidate recorded a total of 319,224 votes to defeat his major challengers. Dr. Oluwole Oluyede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came second with 40,543 votes, while Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) finished third with 12,872 votes. INEC reported that 384,940 voters were accredited for the election. The commission recorded 375,777 valid votes, while 6,332 votes were rejected, bringing the total number of votes cast to 382,109. Governor Calls for Unity After Election Following the announcement, Oyebanji urged residents to move beyond political divisions and focus on collective efforts toward building the future of Ekiti State. He said the election should not be viewed as a contest with permanent winners and losers, but as a democratic process where the interest of the people remains the priority. The governor noted that support came from different parts of the state, including urban and rural communities, describing the result as an indication of the people’s desire for peace, economic growth, and improved opportunities. What the Second Term Means for Ekiti The governor’s second term is expected to place greater attention on areas such as infrastructure, economic development, public services, and grassroots projects. Political observers say the renewed mandate also places higher expectations on the administration, as residents will be looking for stronger delivery and measurable results during the next phase of governance. Oyebanji assured citizens that he would continue leading with humility, fairness, and commitment to public service as he begins another chapter in his leadership of the state.
The 2026 Ekiti State governorship election ended with the re-election of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, but the exercise was marked by allegations of violence, voter inducement, intimidation and other irregularities that raised fresh concerns about Nigeria’s electoral process. The poll, conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), attracted voters across 2,445 polling units spread through the 16 local government areas of Ekiti State. The election featured candidates from 14 political parties, although the contest was largely viewed as a three-way race involving the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Governor Oyebanji secured victory with 319,224 votes, defeating his closest challenger, Dr Wole Oluyede of the PDP, who received 40,543 votes. ADC candidate Ambassador Dare Bejide finished third with 12,872 votes. INEC’s returning officer for the election, Prof Adenike Oladiji, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, announced the final result after collation from across the state. Election Background and Voter Participation Ekiti State had 1,059,360 registered voters, while 1,028,929 voters collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and were eligible to participate. While some communities recorded strong voter turnout, several areas experienced lower participation, with observers pointing to concerns over security, political tension and voter confidence. The election was closely watched because it tested the popularity of the incumbent administration and the strength of opposition parties seeking to end APC’s dominance in the state. Violence Reported in Some Polling Locations Despite heavy security presence, reports of clashes and disruptions emerged from different parts of the state. One of the major incidents occurred in Ilawe-Ekiti, Ward 2, where a confrontation reportedly broke out involving ADC governorship candidate Ambassador Dare Bejide and some security personnel. Bejide alleged that individuals attached to a political figure assaulted his driver after removing him from a vehicle near the polling area. The injured driver was reportedly taken for medical attention. The Ekiti State Commissioner of Police later visited the location, engaged those involved and assessed the situation. Election observers also recorded additional incidents across several local government areas. The EU-SDGN Election Observation Hub reported 24 cases of violence across 10 local government areas during the election period. Vote Buying Allegations Raise Questions Another major concern surrounding the election was the allegation of vote buying. Observers and opposition parties accused political actors of offering voters money in exchange for support, with amounts reportedly ranging between ₦5,000 and ₦20,000 in some locations. Reports suggested that some party agents allegedly avoided direct cash exchanges at polling centres by issuing identification numbers to voters after voting, allowing them to collect payments elsewhere. There were also allegations that some voters were asked to display their marked ballot papers as confirmation before receiving payment. Security agencies, including anti-corruption officials deployed for monitoring, were present during the exercise, but observers claimed vote-buying activities continued in some areas. Claims Over PVC Distribution and Electoral Integrity Concerns were also raised over allegations involving Permanent Voter Cards. The Movement for Credible Elections (MCE), a civil society organisation, called for investigation after videos circulated online allegedly showing the distribution of uncollected PVCs to individuals suspected of being brought into the state to influence the election outcome. The group warned that if proven, such actions would represent a serious violation of electoral laws and could weaken public trust in democratic institutions. Reactions After the Poll Following the election, businessman and Ekiti indigene Isaac Fayose criticised the conduct of the exercise, alleging that the process did not reflect a credible election. Fayose accused political actors of using intimidation against citizens, describing the situation as a major setback for democracy. His comments have generated debate among residents and political observers. What the Ekiti Election Means Going Forward Governor Oyebanji’s victory secures another term for the APC-led administration in Ekiti, but the allegations recorded during the election have placed renewed attention on transparency, electoral reforms and the role of security agencies. Political analysts say future elections in Nigeria will continue to be judged not only by official results but also by public confidence in the fairness and credibility of the process. As calls for investigations into reported incidents continue, stakeholders are watching to see whether electoral authorities will address complaints raised by observers and opposition groups.
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Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has secured a major victory at the polling unit of Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, during the state’s governorship election, reinforcing the strong support base of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the area. The result, announced by the Presiding Officer, Mrs Elizabeth Oregbemeh, showed that Oyebanji received 164 votes at the polling unit, while his closest rival, Dr Wole Oluyede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), recorded eight votes. The Action Democratic Party (ADP) candidate, Mr Ayodeji Ojo, polled one vote, according to the officially announced figures. The outcome placed the APC candidate far ahead of other contenders at the polling location, which is closely associated with Senator Bamidele, a prominent political figure in Ekiti and the current Senate Leader. Speaking earlier during the voting exercise, Senator Bamidele expressed satisfaction with the election process, describing the turnout of voters across Ekiti State as encouraging. He also praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for what he described as an effective arrangement in deploying election officials and materials across the state’s 16 local government areas. The election attracted attention as residents across Ekiti participated in deciding the next political direction of the state. INEC figures indicated that Ekiti had 1,059,360 registered voters, while 1,028,929 voters collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) before the election. The strong performance recorded by Oyebanji at the Senate Leader’s polling unit adds to the wider political assessment of the APC’s popularity among voters, especially in areas linked to influential party stakeholders. As vote counting continues across different polling locations, political observers are watching the final results to determine whether the governor’s early gains reflect a broader statewide trend. The election is expected to shape the next phase of governance in Ekiti, with attention focused on voter participation, transparency of the process, and the final declaration by electoral authorities.
