Biodun Oyebanji secured a historic second term as Ekiti governor, winning over 80% of votes cast and becoming the first incumbent governor to achieve consecutive re-election in the state
How Biodun Oyebanji Made History with Record-Breaking Ekiti Election Win
Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji has rewritten Ekiti State’s political history after securing a commanding re-election victory that saw him win more than 80 per cent of votes cast in Saturday’s governorship election, becoming the first incumbent governor to achieve consecutive re-election in the state since the return of democracy in 1999.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate delivered a stunning performance across the state, sweeping all 16 local government areas and winning 175 of the 177 wards. The only wards he failed to secure were located in Ikere-Ekiti. Official results announced in the early hours of Sunday showed Oyebanji polling 319,224 votes, far ahead of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Dr. Wole Oluyede, who garnered 40,543 votes, while Ambassador Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) secured 12,872 votes.
The scale of the victory triggered celebrations across Ekiti, with supporters hailing the outcome as a strong endorsement of the governor’s first-term performance. Political leaders across party lines described the result as historic, noting that Oyebanji had broken the state’s long-standing second-term jinx.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu congratulated the governor and urged him to embrace inclusive leadership as he begins another four-year mandate. In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President said: “Governor Oyebanji should remain magnanimous in victory and carry all Ekiti people along as he consolidates on his achievements in the next four years.”
The President also appealed to opposition candidates to support the governor’s efforts to advance development in the state. “Now is the time to rally round Oyebanji in the task of taking Ekiti to the next level of governance,” Tinubu said.
Commending the peaceful conduct of the election, the President praised residents for their orderly participation and lauded security agencies for maintaining law and order throughout the process. He also challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to sustain credible electoral standards ahead of the Osun governorship election and the 2027 general elections.
Tinubu noted that Oyebanji’s first term had delivered notable progress in infrastructure, agriculture, youth employment, healthcare, education and rural development through the BAO Agenda, describing the governor’s renewed mandate as “a clear vote of confidence in continuity, stability and people-centred governance.”
Following his victory, Oyebanji extended an olive branch to his opponents, insisting that the election was over and that all political actors must unite for the progress of the state. In a symbolic move, he visited the Ikere-Ekiti residence of PDP candidate Wole Oluyede alongside Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele for a closed-door meeting aimed at fostering post-election harmony.
The governor said governance should be viewed as a collective responsibility and called on both Oluyede and Bejide to contribute their ideas and experience toward the development of Ekiti. He also linked his victory to growing public confidence in President Tinubu’s administration, expressing optimism that the APC would repeat the feat in the 2027 elections.
“This victory is a vote of confidence in the administration of President Bola Tinubu. It shows that our people appreciate the reforms and leadership being provided at the national level,” Oyebanji said. “I am confident that the APC will record another resounding victory in the 2027 general elections and that President Tinubu will emerge victorious.”
The governor attributed his overwhelming mandate to his administration’s performance, broad-based support across political divides and the backing of former governors and key stakeholders. He thanked Ekiti residents for renewing his mandate and pledged not to disappoint them.
“I am deeply grateful to the people of Ekiti for this overwhelming support. They have renewed our mandate, and I assure them that we will not take their trust for granted. We will continue to work tirelessly for the development of our state and the welfare of our people,” he said.
Congratulations poured in from across the country. Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma described the outcome as a signal of the APC’s growing strength ahead of future elections. Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun praised Oyebanji’s courage, competence and leadership, while Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke said the result reflected the confidence Ekiti people have in his administration.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele described the victory as a “signpost for a better, brighter and greater Ekiti,” saying the governor’s ability to build consensus across political lines had transformed the state’s political environment and fostered unprecedented unity among stakeholders.
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani called the result a powerful endorsement of inclusive leadership and development-focused governance, while Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori said the landslide victory reflected the trust and confidence the people have in Oyebanji’s administration. Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa also hailed the governor’s achievements in infrastructure, economic growth and social welfare, describing the renewed mandate as well deserved.
Despite the widespread endorsements, the election was not without controversy. ADC candidate Dare Bejide rejected the outcome, alleging widespread voter intimidation and vote-buying across the state’s 2,445 polling units. He questioned the credibility of a result that saw one party dominate almost every ward in the state.
“There is no doubt that this is an unprecedented electoral outcome in the history of Ekiti State and indeed Nigeria. For a political party to win all the wards in a state is unheard of and raises serious concerns,” Bejide said.
The African Action Congress (AAC) also dismissed the election as flawed, alleging widespread irregularities and promising to challenge the outcome. The party’s chairman in Ekiti State, Makinde Folorunso, described the exercise as falling short of democratic standards and called for a full investigation into the allegations.
Even with the objections, the scale of Oyebanji’s triumph has cemented his place in Ekiti’s political history. By winning all 16 local government areas and securing more than four-fifths of votes cast, the governor not only earned a second term but also delivered one of the most dominant electoral performances ever recorded in the state, setting a new benchmark for governorship elections in Ekiti.
