The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, the outright winner of the 2026 Ekiti governorship election held on Saturday.
The incumbent governor, Biodun Oyebanji, was re-elected after securing a dominant victory across the state, polling 319,224 votes to defeat his closest challengers in the opposition parties.
INEC Election Results Confirm Landslide Victory
The official declaration concluded an intense polling exercise across all 16 local government areas. The Returning Officer for the Ekiti State governorship election, Professor Adenike Oladiji, who serves as the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, announced the final figures in the early hours of Sunday.
Speaking at the commission’s state headquarters on Iyin Road in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, she verified the legitimacy of the process.
“Therefore, I, Adenike, am the returning officer for the 2026 Ekiti governorship election…Oyebanji Abiodun Abayomi, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and stands re-elected,” Oladiji said.
The final data released by the commission showed a wide margin between the ruling party and the opposition. While the victorious APC amassed 319,224 votes, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olumayokun Oluyede, polled 40,533 votes. Meanwhile, Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) secured the third position with 12,872 votes.
- Total Registered Voters: 988,251
- Accredited Voters: 384,940
- Total Votes Cast: 382,109
- Total Valid Votes: 375,777
Breakdown of the 2026 Ekiti Governorship Election
A closer look at the voting patterns revealed major losses for the opposition. Notably, the PDP candidate, who hails from Efon-Alaaye in Efon Local Government Area (LGA), suffered a defeat right within his own home base. In that local government area, the APC and its candidate received 8,742 votes, while the PDP received 2,051 votes.
The full breakdown of the certified INEC election results across the 16 local government areas on Sunday underscores the sweeping nature of the ruling party’s victory:
Local Government Area | ADC Votes | APC Votes | PDP Votes | Collation Officer
- Ado | 1,054 | 38,026 | 3,817 | Prof. Toye Fasinmirin
- Irepodun/Ifelodun | 511 | 29,278 | 2,119 | Prof. Michael Adeyemi
- Ekiti West | 674 | 28,258 | 3,644 | Prof. Bolaji Stephen
- Ikole | 812 | 26,508 | 750 | Prof. Sadiat Adifala
- Ekiti East | 1,730 | 26,359 | 2,795 | Prof. Olabode Olatunbosun
- Ijero | 2,026 | 25,506 | 2,479 | Prof. Olaniran Akanni
- Moba | 994 | 20,500 | 1,572 | Prof. Suleiman Adegboyega
- Oye | 998 | 18,975 | 2,891 | Prof. Jide Popoola
- Ido/Osi | 561 | 17,901 | 1,449 | Prof. Otalobi Akintunde
- Ayekire/Gbonyin | 314 | 17,133 | 1,563 | Prof. Oso Bamidele
- Ekiti South West | 1,076 | 14,705 | 1,800 | Prof. Kola Oladunmoye
- Emure | 732 | 14,325 | 851 | Prof. Emmanuel Oluwafemi
- Ise/Orun | 365 | 12,907 | 1,627 | Dr John Isa
- Ikere | 245 | 11,116 | 9,872 | Prof. Kehinde Jayeoba
- Ilejemeje | 579 | 8,984 | 1,243 | Prof. Kehinde Mogaji
- Efon | 201 | 8,742 | 2,051 | Prof. Joseph Ojo |
Final Metrics From the Ekiti State Governorship Election
The election statistics show that of 988,251 registered voters, 384,940 successfully underwent accreditation. The overall turnout reflects the active political engagement within the South-West state during this off-cycle voting window.
With valid votes counted at 375,777, the remaining 382,109 total votes cast were officially recorded as rejected or invalid. This sweeping mandate ensures a continuation of the current administration’s policies as the newly re-elected governor prepares for his upcoming second term in office.
