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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

Tinubu hails Oyebanji's historic re-election in Ekiti, citing continuity and stability

From ThisDay · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • President Bola Tinubu congratulated Governor Biodun Oyebanji on his re-election in Ekiti State, Nigeria.
  • Tinubu described the victory as a vote of confidence in continuity, stability, and people-centered governance, noting Oyebanji made history as the first governor to win back-to-back terms.
  • While Oyebanji pledged continued service, the ADC candidate rejected the results, alleging vote-buying and irregularities, a concern echoed by Yiaga Africa and HURIWA.

President Bola Tinubu has lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji's re-election in Ekiti State, Nigeria, characterizing it as a significant endorsement of "continuity, stability, and people-centred governance." Oyebanji, the candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC), secured a historic second term, becoming the first governor in the state's history to achieve back-to-back electoral victories.

With his overwhelming victory in the election, Oyebanji has emerged as the first governor in the history of Ekiti State to win re-election back-to-back.

— President Bola TinubuHighlighting the historical significance of Governor Oyebanji's re-election.

Tinubu, in a statement released by his Information and Strategy Adviser, Bayo Onanuga, commended the voters of Ekiti State for their peaceful and orderly conduct during the election. He also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain its commitment to conducting free, fair, and credible polls, especially with upcoming elections in Osun State and the general election next year.

Governor Oyebanji, in his acceptance speech, pledged to continue serving Ekiti State with "courage, compassion, humility, and the fear of God." However, the election was not without controversy. Ambassador Dare Bejide, the governorship candidate for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), declared his rejection of the results, citing widespread allegations of vote-buying, over-voting, and other irregularities.

The renewed mandate is therefore a clear vote of confidence in continuity, stability, and people-centred governance.

— President Bola TinubuInterpreting the election outcome as an endorsement of Oyebanji's leadership.

Independent observers also raised concerns. Yiaga Africa confirmed that INEC's official results aligned with its independent tally but highlighted issues of pervasive vote-buying and inconsistencies in voter turnout data. Similarly, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) condemned reported incidents of violence, voter intimidation, and vote-buying that marred the election. Despite these concerns, Oyebanji's victory is being celebrated by the APC and fellow governors as a mandate for continued development.

I pledge to continue to govern Ekiti State with courage, compassion, humility, and the fear of God.

— Governor Biodun OyebanjiPromising his approach to governance for his second term.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ThisDay in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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