By Idowu Adebomi
Governor Biodun Oyebanji has made history as the first governor of Ekiti State to win re-election and secure two consecutive terms in office, following a resounding victory in Saturday’s 2026 governorship election.
The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) broke a long-standing political jinx that had prevented previous governors from retaining power through successive electoral mandates since the creation of the state in 1996.
Official results announced by the Returning Officer, Professor Adenike Oladiji, showed that Oyebanji polled 319,224 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Dr. Wole Oluyede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who secured 40,543 votes.
The candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ambassador Dare Bejide, garnered 12,872 votes, while Opeyemi Falegan of the Accord Party polled 564 votes.
The APC candidate recorded victories in all 16 local government areas of the state, underscoring his dominance across the political landscape and earning a renewed mandate from the electorate.
According to figures released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), 988,251 voters were registered for the election, while 384,940 were accredited. A total of 382,109 votes were cast, with 375,777 declared valid and 6,332 rejected.
Declaring the result, Professor Oladiji said Oyebanji, having satisfied the constitutional requirements and secured the highest number of lawful votes cast, was duly elected governor of Ekiti State for another four-year term.
Reacting shortly after his declaration, the governor described the victory as a renewed call to service and pledged to govern with humility, compassion, and the fear of God.
He expressed gratitude to the people of Ekiti State for the overwhelming support, noting that the mandate comes with greater responsibility and higher expectations.
“I have a proper understanding of the responsibility that this victory has placed on my shoulders. It is a responsibility of service to the people of Ekiti State.”
“I want to assure our people that we will continue to serve them with courage, compassion, humility, and the fear of God,” Oyebanji said.
The governor assured residents that his administration would remain focused on delivering quality governance, sustainable development, and improved welfare across the state.
He added that the outcome of the election would spur his government to work harder in addressing the needs and aspirations of the people, while consolidating achievements recorded during his first term.
According to him, the renewed mandate is both an endorsement of his administration’s performance and a challenge to deepen ongoing efforts in infrastructure development, economic expansion, and social service delivery.
Speaking on his plans for the next four years, Oyebanji said his administration would continue to implement the state’s development blueprint while remaining responsive to emerging challenges and opportunities.
“We have a development guide and we will continue to faithfully implement that plan. At the same time, if there are new issues or areas that require attention, we will review them and ensure they are accommodated.”
“Our focus remains the comprehensive implementation of our development agenda for the benefit of all Ekiti people,” he stated.
The historic victory not only extends APC’s hold on power in the state but also marks a significant milestone in Ekiti’s democratic evolution, with Oyebanji becoming the first governor to successfully win a second consecutive term since the state’s creation three decades ago.