INEC Confirms Oyebanji’s Re-Election as Ekiti Governor

By Joseph Sunday 

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as the winner of Saturday’s Ekiti State governorship election. 

The declaration was made at about 3am on Sunday morning by INEC’s Chief Returning Officer and Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Professor Adenike Oladiji, according to the official results released at the collation centre in Ado Ekiti.

Governor Oyebanji secured 319,224 votes to beat his closest rivals. Dr Wole Oluyede of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, polled 40,543 votes to place second, while Ambassador Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, got 12,872 votes to finish third.

With the victory, Oyebanji becomes the first governor in Ekiti’s 29-year history to win two consecutive terms in office.

Shortly after the announcement, Governor Oyebanji addressed journalists at the Situation Room in Government House, Ado Ekiti. He dedicated the victory to God, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the people of Ekiti State. 

He called the election a celebration of democracy and said the outcome reflected the confidence Ekiti people have in his administration’s policies and programmes. The governor also described the result as a strong vote of confidence in President Tinubu’s leadership, noting that Ekiti voters are aligned with the vision of the federal government.

Oyebanji, who was joined by his wife, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, and several fellow governors, pledged that the renewed mandate would push his administration to deliver greater service. He promised to consolidate existing achievements and continue implementing people-oriented policies with integrity, humility, and fear of God.

“The reward for hard work is more work. I will continue to press on and double up on our achievements in implementing policies that have endeared this administration to the people,” the governor said, as reported from the Situation Room. 

Dignitaries present at the Situation Room included Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum and Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma; Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Chairman of the APC National Campaign Council and Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani; Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum; Edo Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo; Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo; Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori; and Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbus Kefas.

Also in attendance were Senate Leader and Chairman of the Ekiti APC Governorship Election Campaign Council, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele; Ekiti’s first civilian governor, Otunba Niyi Adebayo; National Assembly members; and members of the state executive council.