The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially declared the incumbent Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner of the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election.
Governor Oyebanji secured a total of 319,224 votes, defeating candidates from other political parties to earn a second term in office. His victory was announced by the Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Adenike Oladiji, the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), during the final collation of results held at the INEC headquarters on Iyin Road in Ado-Ekiti in the early hours of Sunday.
The announcement officially confirmed Oyebanji’s re-election after he met all the constitutional and electoral requirements stipulated under Nigerian law.
Declaring the final result, Prof. 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 declaration was greeted with jubilation among APC supporters, who celebrated across several parts of Ado-Ekiti and other communities in the state.
Oyebanji Secures a Second Term
Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s victory extends the APC’s control of Ekiti State and gives him another four-year mandate to continue implementing his administration’s policies and development programmes.
Since assuming office, the governor has focused on improving road infrastructure, strengthening healthcare services, promoting agricultural development, supporting education, and encouraging investment in the state’s economy. His administration has also introduced initiatives aimed at empowering youths and creating opportunities for
Political analysts believe his performance in office, combined with the APC’s strong grassroots structure across the state’s local government areas, contributed significantly to his convincing victory at the polls.
Election Witnesses 24 Reported Incidents of Violence
Although the election ended with a clear winner, the exercise was not entirely peaceful.
Reports from election observers and security agencies indicated that 24 incidents of election-related violence were recorded during the governorship election across different parts of Ekiti State.
The reported incidents allegedly included voter intimidation, isolated clashes involving political supporters, attempts to disrupt voting activities in some polling units, and cases of disorder in a few communities.
Despite these incidents, election officials continued the voting process in affected areas after security personnel intervened to restore order.
Authorities noted that while the reported violence was unfortunate, it did not substantially affect the overall conduct of the election or the final outcome announced by INEC.
Security agencies had deployed personnel across the state before the election to ensure the safety of voters, electoral officials, and election materials.
INEC Completes Result Collation
The declaration of Governor Oyebanji as the winner followed the successful completion of the collation of results from all local government areas in Ekiti State.
According to INEC, the results were carefully verified before the Returning Officer announced the final figures.
The electoral commission stated that the election was conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act and relevant guidelines guiding the conduct of governorship elections in Nigeria.
INEC also commended electoral officers, ad hoc staff, security agencies, election observers, journalists, and voters for their roles in ensuring that the election was successfully concluded despite isolated security concerns.
Supporters Celebrate Across Ekiti
Shortly after the announcement of the results, celebrations erupted in several parts of Ekiti State as supporters of the APC welcomed the governor’s re-election.
Party members gathered at campaign offices and public locations to celebrate what they described as a victory for continuity and good governance.
Many residents expressed hope that the governor’s second term would accelerate ongoing development projects while addressing key challenges such as unemployment, infrastructure deficits, healthcare delivery, education, and rural development.
Political leaders within the APC also congratulated Governor Oyebanji, describing the election outcome as a reflection of the confidence reposed in his administration by the people of Ekiti State.
Opposition Yet to Fully React
As of the time of filing this report, there had been no comprehensive official response from the major opposition parties regarding the declaration of the election results.
Political observers expect some opposition candidates to study the detailed election results before deciding whether to accept the outcome or pursue legal action through the election tribunal, as provided under Nigerian electoral laws.
Election petitions remain a constitutional avenue available to candidates who believe there were irregularities during the electoral process.
Calls for Peace and Unity
Following the declaration of the results, political stakeholders have called on residents of Ekiti State to remain peaceful and support democratic institutions.
Community leaders urged supporters of all political parties to avoid actions capable of causing unrest and instead allow the legal process to address any grievances arising from the election.
Analysts have also stressed the importance of improving election security in future polls to reduce incidents of violence and strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
mportance of improving election security in future polls to reduce incidents of violence and strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
What the Victory Means for Ekiti State
Governor Oyebanji’s re-election provides his administration with another opportunity to build on existing projects and fulfill campaign promises made to the people of Ekiti State.
Residents are expected to closely monitor the government’s performance over the next four years, particularly in critical sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, education, job creation, youth empowerment, and economic development.
His administration is also expected to strengthen partnerships with the private sector to attract investment and create more employment opportunities for young people in the state.
Conclusion
The declaration of Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji as the winner of the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election marks the end of another significant electoral contest in Nigeria.
With 319,224 votes, the APC candidate secured a second term after satisfying the legal requirements set by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Although the election recorded 24 reported incidents of violence, INEC maintained that the overall process was successfully conducted and proceeded to declare Governor Oyebanji duly elected.
Attention will now shift from the campaign trail to governance, as Ekiti residents look forward to the implementation of policies and programmes that will promote sustainable development, improve public services, and enhance the welfare of citizens during the governor’s second term in office.
