Oyebanji Wins Ekiti Re-election With 319,224 Votes, Makes History

Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has secured a second term in office, emerging victorious in Saturday's governorship election with 319,224 votes cast in his favour. The All Progressives Congress candidate's win makes him the first sitting governor in Ekiti's history to be re-elected to the position.

His closest rival, Wole Oluyede of the People's Democratic Party, received 40,543 votes, while Dare Bejid of the African Democratic Congress finished third with 12,872 votes. President Bola Tinubu offered his congratulations to Oyebanji on Sunday, framing the electoral outcome as evidence of public backing for the governor's approach to administration.

In a statement released through his Special Adviser on Information Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu commended the people of Ekiti State for conducting themselves peacefully during the voting process. The President also praised security agencies for maintaining order throughout the election and urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to sustain its efforts in delivering transparent and credible elections ahead of the August 2027 Osun State governorship poll and the 2027 general election.

Oyebanji himself described his victory on Sunday as a validation of the Tinubu administration's performance. The governor attributed his electoral success to the backing he received from the President and the confidence placed in him by Ekiti residents.

According to election results announced by the Chief of the Independent National Electoral Commission, the declaration was made in the early hours of Sunday morning. The election was contested by candidates from 13 political parties across the state.

While sources confirm the peaceful nature of the voting process, one candidate filed allegations of electoral misconduct during the contest, though this did not prevent the declaration of the final results.