Oyebanji Sweeps Ekiti Polls, Defeats PDP, ADC Rivals as INEC Declares APC Candidate Governor-Elect
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared APC candidate Biodun Oyebanji winner of the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election after securing 319,224 votes.
The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, has emerged victorious in the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election after recording a commanding victory across the state.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Oyebanji the winner of the keenly watched election after he secured a total of 319,224 votes, defeating his closest challenger, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Dr. Wole Oluyede.
The election, conducted across the 16 local government areas of Ekiti State, produced a wide margin in favour of the APC candidate, with Oyebanji emerging as the preferred choice of the majority of voters.
According to the official results announced by INEC, Dr. Oluyede of the PDP polled 40,543 votes, while the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Dare Bejide, recorded 12,872 votes to place third in the contest.
The final declaration was made on Sunday morning by the Chief Returning Officer and Presiding Officer for the election, Professor Adenike Oladiji, who confirmed that the APC candidate had satisfied the constitutional requirements and secured the highest number of valid votes cast.
Declaring the result, Professor Oladiji stated:
“I, Professor Adenike Oladiji, hereby certify that I am the Returning Officer for the Ekiti State Governorship Election held on June 20, 2026, and that the election was conducted in compliance with the provisions of the law.
“Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress, having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of valid votes cast, is hereby declared the winner and returned elected.”
The outcome represents a major political victory for the APC in Ekiti State, strengthening the party’s grip on the state’s political landscape.
Oyebanji’s victory has been described by party supporters as a renewed mandate from Ekiti voters, while political observers note that the margin of victory reflects a strong endorsement from the electorate.
The newly declared governor-elect is expected to continue leading the APC administration in the state as preparations begin for the next phase of governance following the successful conclusion of the electoral process.