Oyebanji Extends Olive Branch After Historic Ekiti Win
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has moved to ease post election tensions after securing a commanding victory in the 2026 governorship election, reaching out to his major opponents while pledging inclusive governance following a result that has altered the state’s political history.
The Independent National Electoral Commission declared Oyebanji winner after polling 319,224 votes, far ahead of Peoples Democratic Party candidate Wole Oluyede, who secured 40,543 votes, and African Democratic Congress candidate Dare Bejide, who garnered 12,872 votes. The governor won across all 16 local government areas of the state.
Announcing the result in Ado Ekiti, the Returning Officer and Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Prof. Adenike Oladiji, said the APC candidate satisfied all constitutional requirements for election. Official figures showed that out of 988,252 registered voters, 384,940 were accredited, while 382,109 votes were cast. Valid votes stood at 375,777, with 6,332 rejected ballots.
Shortly after his declaration, Oyebanji disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had called to congratulate him and revealed that he had also contacted his major challengers, Oluyede and Bejide.
Addressing residents, the governor described the outcome as an unprecedented mandate and said the result signalled a new phase of consensus building, peace and political harmony in the state.
Beyond the numerical victory, the election carries historical significance. Oyebanji has become the first governor in Ekiti State’s democratic history to secure back to back re election, breaking a political pattern that had endured since the state’s creation in 1996 and Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.
President Tinubu, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, congratulated the governor and urged him to remain magnanimous in victory. The President said the renewed mandate imposed a responsibility to govern inclusively and carry all residents along irrespective of political affiliation.
The result also drew reactions from political leaders across party lines. Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma described the outcome as a reflection of confidence in Oyebanji’s leadership, while Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun said the poll demonstrated democratic maturity and public trust in governance.
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke similarly congratulated the Ekiti governor, describing the victory as an affirmation of confidence in his administration’s performance.
Despite the celebrations, the outcome remains contested by sections of the opposition. ADC candidate Dare Bejide rejected the result, alleging irregularities and widespread vote buying. The PDP said it was reviewing reports from across the state before taking a formal position, while the party’s national leadership expressed disappointment with the outcome.
Election observation group Yiaga Africa, however, reported notable improvements in election day administration, particularly in the deployment of officials, commencement of voting and overall peaceful conduct. The organisation nevertheless raised concerns over alleged vote buying, results management and voter inducement, urging electoral and security authorities to address the issues before the 2027 general election.
With the Ekiti contest concluded, political attention is already shifting to the Osun governorship election scheduled for August and the wider preparations for Nigeria’s 2027 electoral cycle, where issues of electoral credibility, voter participation and political inclusion are expected to remain central.