The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Biodun Oyebanji, as the winner of the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election.
The Returning Officer for the Ekiti State governorship election, Mrs Adenike Oladiji, who declared the results at about 3:13 a.m. on Sunday, said that the incumbent Oyebanji polled 319,224 votes.
Mrs Oladiji, a professor and Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, said that the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Oluwole Oluyede, scored 40,543 votes, while Mr Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Party (ADP) polled 12,872 votes.
According to her, a total of 384,940 voters were accredited for the election, with 375,777 valid votes, 6,332 rejected votes, and a total of votes cast.
Voting, which began at about 8:31 a.m, ended officially at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, with more than 380,000 voters casting their ballots.
Mr Oyebanji, who won all 16 local government areas with the victory at the polls, becomes the first Ekiti State governor to be re-elected to office since 1999.
The Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Mr Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, and his colleague in Ogun State, Mr Dapo Abiodun, have expressed delight in the victory of the Ekiti State governor.
Speaking at the Ekiti State Government House, Mr Uzodimma said Mr Oyebanji’s victory signalled the success of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and, by extension, that of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
He said the electorate voted massively for the APC and its candidate despite ongoing reforms that have brought hardship to citizens.
According to him, democracy in the country is growing, with significant achievements being recorded across various sectors. He noted that the economy is becoming stronger and the political system is evolving into a more sustainable one.
Governor Abiodun described Mr Oyebanji’s victory, with about 90 per cent of the votes, as a testament to his performance during his first term in office and the love the people have for the ruling APC.
“The percentage of victory is almost 90 per cent. I rejoice with him. I rejoice with the good people of Ekiti State. I rejoice with the All Progressives Congress, particularly our National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, our President, and all the good people of Nigeria,” he said.
“This is an indication of what the 2027 elections would look like going forward, and we are excited about the future of our polity and Nigeria. Again, I congratulate Governor Oyebanji, his wife, the entire cabinet, the APC family in Ekiti State, the APC family in Nigeria, and all of you. Thank you very much,” he added.