APC Candidate Oyebanji Defeats Rivals with 319,224 Votes Across 16 Local Government Areas
Governor Abiodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has made political history by becoming the first governor to win re-election in Ekiti State since the state’s creation.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially declared Oyebanji winner of the 2026 Ekiti State Governorship Election after he secured a landslide victory with 319,224 votes.
The declaration was made by the Returning Officer for the election, Professor Adenike Temidayo Oladiji, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), shortly after the collation of results from all 16 local government areas of the state.
According to the results announced by INEC, Governor Oyebanji dominated the polls across the state, recording impressive victories in key local government areas including Ado-Ekiti, Ijero, Ikole, Ekiti West, Moba, and Irepodun/Ifelodun.
The APC candidate polled 38,026 votes in Ado-Ekiti Local Government Area, the highest recorded by any candidate in the election. He also secured 29,278 votes in Irepodun/Ifelodun, 28,258 votes in Ekiti West, and 26,508 votes in Ikole Local Government Area.
His closest challengers trailed significantly behind as the APC maintained a firm grip on the state’s political landscape.
A ward result in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area was cancelled due to over-voting. However, electoral officials confirmed that the cancellation had no significant impact on the overall outcome of the election.
The victory marks a major milestone in Ekiti’s democratic history, breaking a longstanding electoral jinx that had prevented incumbent governors from securing re-election.
Political observers have attributed Oyebanji’s victory to his administration’s infrastructure development, governance approach, and widespread support across the state’s three senatorial districts.
With the announcement of the results, supporters of the APC have begun celebrations across various parts of Ekiti State, while attention now shifts to the governor’s second-term agenda and plans for continued development.
The 2026 Ekiti governorship election is expected to remain a significant reference point in the state’s political history as Governor Oyebanji becomes the first incumbent governor to successfully win a second term through the ballot box.
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