Ekiti Governor Biodun Oyebanji Wins Landslide Re‑election

Incumbent All Progressives Congress (APC) governor Biodun Oyebanji was declared the winner of the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The final collation showed Oyebanji receiving 319,224 votes, defeating the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Wole Oluyede, who garnered 40,543 votes, and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate Dare Bejide with 12,872 votes. He won in all 16 local government areas, securing a clean sweep of the state.

The election saw 988,251 registered voters, of whom 384,940 were accredited and 375,777 votes were validated; 6,332 ballots were rejected. Observers noted marked improvements in election logistics and largely peaceful conduct, though the civil‑society group Yiaga Africa warned that “the biggest worry… is vote buying.” Turnout varied, with low participation reported in Ilawe‑Ekiti and BVAS accreditation glitches affecting elderly voters. Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye praised the high turnout and peaceful atmosphere, while isolated incidents of violence and a protest‑related police‑station arson were reported ahead of voting. Oyebanji’s victory makes him the first Ekiti governor to secure consecutive re‑election since 1999.