#EkitiDecides2026: Oyebanji secures second term, defies Ekiti’s history of unseating incumbents

Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has secured a second term in office, achieving a historic re-election in Ekiti State. He decisively defeated 13 challengers, polling 319,224 votes to reinforce his political dominance in a state long characterized by its unpredictable electoral outcomes.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Oyebanji the winner after he secured the highest number of valid votes across the state's 16 local government areas. His closest rivals included Oluwole Oluyede of the Peoples Democratic Party, who garnered 40,533 votes, and Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress, with 2,872 votes. This victory marks Oyebanji as the first Ekiti governor to successfully win immediate re-election, defying the state's historical trend of frequently changing governors since 1999.

Political analysts viewed the election as a crucial test of the APC's standing in the South-West region ahead of the 2027 general elections. Oyebanji campaigned on a platform of continuity, emphasizing his administration's achievements in infrastructure development, education, healthcare, agriculture, and investment promotion during his first term. He secured the APC's nomination through a consensus arrangement after his sole primary challenger withdrew and endorsed him.

Despite a crowded field of 13 other political parties fielding candidates, the APC maintained a strong lead throughout the state. Oyebanji's campaign focused on encouraging voters to support ongoing development projects and pledged to deepen economic growth and social welfare programs if re-elected. The INEC reported accrediting 384,940 out of 988,251 registered voters for the election.