Political Earthquake in Ekiti: Oyebanji Sweeps All 16 LGAs, Secures Crushing Re-Election Victory.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has secured a resounding victory in the Ekiti State governorship election, sweeping all 16 local government areas and earning a fresh mandate from voters in a landslide triumph that reaffirmed his political dominance across the state.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially declared Oyebanji winner of the Saturday governorship poll in the early hours of Sunday after collating results from all local government areas.

Announcing the outcome at the State Collation Centre located at INEC headquarters on Iyin Road, Ado-Ekiti, the Returning Officer for the election and Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Prof. Adenike Oladiji, said the APC candidate overwhelmingly defeated his rivals to secure a second term in office.

According to the final results, Oyebanji polled an impressive 319,224 votes, far ahead of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Olumayokun Oluyede, who garnered 40,533 votes, while the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Dare Bejide, secured 12,872 votes.

Declaring the governor re-elected, Oladiji stated:

"Therefore, I, Adenike Oladiji, the Returning Officer for the 2026 Ekiti State Governorship Election, hereby declare that Oyebanji Abiodun Abayomi, having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of valid votes cast, is duly elected and returned as Governor of Ekiti State."

The election recorded significant voter participation, with 988,251 registered voters across the state. Out of this figure, 384,940 voters were accredited to participate in the exercise.

INEC disclosed that a total of 382,109 votes were cast, while 375,777 were declared valid. The remaining votes were rejected due to various electoral infractions.

One of the most remarkable highlights of the election was Oyebanji’s dominance across every local government area, including strongholds traditionally considered competitive. The governor's widespread acceptance enabled him to secure victory in all 16 councils, leaving no local government for the opposition parties.

Adding to the PDP's disappointment, its candidate, Olumayokun Oluyede, suffered defeat in his home local government area of Efon. Despite being an indigene of Efon-Alaaye, Oluyede managed only 2,051 votes, while Oyebanji secured a commanding 8,742 votes in the council area.

The APC also posted overwhelming victories in major voting blocs, including Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, where Oyebanji polled 38,026 votes against the PDP's 3,817 votes. Similar margins were recorded in Irepodun/Ifelodun, Ekiti West, Ikole, Ijero, Oye, and several other local government areas.

The election result is being viewed by political observers as a strong endorsement of Oyebanji’s administration and policies over the past four years. His sweeping victory across all local governments underscores the APC's firm grip on Ekiti politics and significantly weakens opposition influence in the state.

Breakdown of Results by Local Government

Efon LGA

- APC – 8,742

- PDP – 2,051

- ADC – 201

Ijero LGA

- APC – 25,506

- PDP – 2,479

- ADC – 2,026

Ikere LGA

- APC – 11,116

- PDP – 9,872

- ADC – 245

Emure LGA

- APC – 14,325

- PDP – 851

- ADC – 732

Ekiti South-West LGA

- APC – 14,705

- PDP – 1,800

- ADC – 1,076

Ido/Osi LGA

- APC – 17,901

- PDP – 1,449

- ADC – 561

Ekiti West LGA

- APC – 28,258

- PDP – 3,644

- ADC – 674

Ado LGA

- APC – 38,026

- PDP – 3,817

- ADC – 1,054

Ilejemeje LGA

- APC – 8,984

- PDP – 1,243

- ADC – 579

Ise/Orun LGA

- APC – 12,907

- PDP – 1,627

- ADC – 365

Oye LGA

- APC – 18,975

- PDP – 2,891

- ADC – 998

Moba LGA

- APC – 20,500

- PDP – 1,572

- ADC – 994

Ayekire/Gbonyin LGA

- APC – 17,133

- PDP – 1,563

- ADC – 314

Ikole LGA

- APC – 26,508

- PDP – 750

- ADC – 812

Irepodun/Ifelodun LGA

- APC – 29,278

- PDP – 2,119

- ADC – 511

Ekiti East LGA

- APC – 26,359

- PDP – 2,795

- ADC – 1,730

With the emphatic victory, Oyebanji becomes one of the few governors in recent Ekiti political history to secure re-election with such a commanding margin, cementing his position as the state's dominant political figure ahead of the next electoral cycle.