The Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has congratulated Ekiti State Governor, Abiodun Oyebanji, on his re-election into office.
Bamidele, who served as Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Election Campaign Council in Ekiti State, said Oyebanji’s renewed mandate would ensure continuity in governance and accelerate development across the state.
In a statement issued by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs on Sunday, the senator described the victory as “a signpost for a better, brighter and greater Ekiti.”
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer for the election and Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Prof. Adenike Oladiji, had announced the final results at the collation centre in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
Oyebanji, the APC candidate, polled 319,224 votes to defeat his closest challenger, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Dr. Wole Oluyede, who scored 40,543 votes. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Dare Bejide, came third with 12,872 votes.
Reacting to the outcome, Bamidele said Oyebanji’s administration had promoted peace, unity, and stability in Ekiti, transforming the state’s political atmosphere from one previously marked by division and rivalry into one focused on cooperation and collective progress.
He praised the governor for building strong relationships with political leaders and stakeholders across party lines, describing the unity among Ekiti’s political class as a rare achievement in Nigeria’s political landscape.
According to Bamidele, Oyebanji’s ability to unite leaders and prioritise public service contributed significantly to his victory at the polls.
He noted that the re-election marked a historic moment, as Oyebanji became the first governor in Ekiti State’s democratic era since 1999 to secure a second consecutive term.
The Senate Leader expressed confidence that Oyebanji’s second tenure would strengthen ongoing reforms, expand development initiatives, and further establish Ekiti as a model for good governance and political stability.
Bamidele also commended Ekiti residents for their peaceful conduct before, during, and after the election, saying their participation demonstrated confidence in the democratic process.