Oyebanji Sets New Record With Consecutive Re-Election In Ekiti

Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has secured a second term in office following his victory in the governorship election held across the state on Saturday.

The outcome was officially announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which declared Oyebanji winner after he emerged victorious in all 16 local government areas, defeating 13 other candidates in the race.

Official results released by the electoral body showed that Oyebanji garnered 319,224 votes, significantly ahead of his closest challenger, Oluwole Oluyede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 40,533 votes. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Dare Bejide, finished in third place with 2,872 votes.

The victory marks a historic milestone for Oyebanji, making him the first governor of Ekiti State to achieve consecutive re-election since Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999.

Political observers noted that while former Governor Kayode Fayemi also served two terms, his tenure was not consecutive, having returned to office through a separate election cycle after leaving power. Oyebanji’s latest achievement therefore sets him apart in a state long regarded for its highly competitive and unpredictable political landscape.

The election featured contestants from several political parties, including the Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Accord Party, Action Democratic Party (ADP), Action Alliance (AA), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), African Action Congress (AAC), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Young Progressives Party (YPP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), and Action Peoples Party (APP).

The outcome further strengthens the APC’s grip on the state and reinforces Oyebanji’s political standing ahead of his second term in office.