By Kamsi Anayo and Attah Ede
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has declared Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election held on Saturday, 20th June, 2026.
The Returning Officer for the election, Adenike Oladiji, announced the result at about 3:13 a.m. on Sunday, declaring that Oyebanji polled a total of 319,224 votes to defeat his closest rivals in the contest conducted across the state’s 16 local government areas
Oladiji, a professor and Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, said the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oluwole Oluyede, scored 40,543 votes, while Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) polled 12,872 votes.
She further disclosed that 384,940 voters were accredited for the election, while 375,777 valid votes were recorded.
The results indicated that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Olusola Oluyede, came a distant second, while the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kemi Bejide, finished third.
Oladiji said: “Therefore, I, Adenike, am the returning officer for the 2026 Ekiti governorship election…Oyebanji Abiodun Abayomi, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and stands re-elected.”
The outcome underscores the APC’s continued dominance in Ekiti State, with Governor Oyebanji recording victories in the majority of the local government areas and maintaining a substantial lead throughout the collation process.
The declaration was made by the Returning Officer for the election after the completion of results collation from all 16 local government areas of the state.
The announcement was greeted with joy by APC supporters, who gathered at various locations across Ado-Ekiti and other parts of the state to celebrate the victory.
Speaking shortly after being declared winner, Oyebanji expressed gratitude to the people of Ekiti State for renewing their mandate and reaffirming confidence in his administration.
He described the result as a victory for democracy and pledged to continue delivering on his campaign promises.
The governor also extended an olive branch to his opponents, urging all political stakeholders to unite in the interest of the state’s development.
He assured residents that his second term would focus on consolidating ongoing projects and advancing economic growth, infrastructure development, education, healthcare, and job creation.
Meanwhile, party leaders and supporters have described the outcome as a reflection of Oyebanji’s performance in office.
They noted that the governor’s grassroots engagement, infrastructural interventions, and governance style contributed significantly to the overwhelming support he received at the polls.
The election was monitored by security agencies, election observers, and civil society groups, with reports indicating that voting and collation were generally peaceful across most parts of the state.
