Ekiti Governor, Biodun Oyebanji
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State winner of yesterday’s governorship election in the state.
Oyebanji, whose first term mandate will expire in October, recorded a landslide victory in the results of all the 2,445 polling units in the state, which were uploaded by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on its Result Viewing Portal (IREV).
The incumbent governor also won overwhelmingly in all the 16 local government areas (LGAs), recording 319,224 votes to defeat his closest rival and governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Oluwole Oluyede, who scored 40,543 votes, according to the results announced by the Returning Officer, Professor Adenike Oladiji, who is the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure.
INEC, in the early morning hours of today, concluded the uploading and collation of all the results of the governorship election held in the 2,445 polling units in the 16 local government areas (LGAs) in the state.
Fourteen candidates contested the off-cycle governorship election, with Oyebanji seeking a second term.
His main challengers include: Oluyede of the PDP, Oluwadare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Oyebanji Olajuyin of the Labour Party (LP), and Blessing Abegunde of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
Other contenders included Samuel Akande of AAC, Ayodeji Ojo of ADP, Opeyemi Felegan of Accord, Joseph Anifowose of APM, Bidemi Awogbemi of APP, Olaniyi Ayodele of PRP and Victor Adetunji of ZLP.
INEC’s Chief Returning Officer and Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), Professor Adenike Oladiji, announced the final results and made declarations around 3am Sunday morning. Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who alleged vote-buying and manipulation in the early hours of the poll, secured 12,872 votes.
After victory, Oyebanji speaks on journey ahead
Speaking shortly after he was declared winner of Saturday’s governorship election, the governor-elect expressed gratitude to the people of the state for the confidence reposed in his administration, saying the outcome of the poll had placed a greater responsibility on his shoulders.
Oyebanji said he was fully aware of the expectations that accompany the overwhelming mandate given to him by Ekiti voters, assuring residents that his administration would remain committed to delivering quality governance and improving the welfare of the people.
“I have a proper understanding of the responsibility that this victory has placed on my shoulders. It is a responsibility of service , 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,” he said.
How Oyebanji won 16 LGAs
Going by the official results announced by the electoral umpire, the governor won his re-election by emerging victorious in all the 16 local government areas of the state.
Breaking down of Ekiti LGAs results:
EMURE LG
ADC-732
APC-14,325
PDP-851
EFON LG
ADC-201
APC-8,742
PDP-2051
IJERO LG
ADC-2,026
APC-25,506
PDP-2,479
IKERE LG
ADC-245
APC-11,116
PDP-9,892
EKITI SOUTH WEST LG
ADC-1,076
APC-14,705
PDP-1,800
IDO-OSI LG
ADC-561
APC-1,7901
PDP-1,449
EKITI WEST LG
ADC-674
APC-28,258
PDP-3,644
ADO LG
ADC-1,054
APC-38,026
PDP-3,817
ILEJEMEJE L.G
ADC-579
APC-8,984
PDP-1,243
ISE ORUN L.G
ADC-365
APC-12,908
PDP-1,627
OYE L.G
ADC-998
APC-18,975
PDP-2,891
GBONYIN -AYEKIRE L.G
ADC-314
APC‐17,133
PDP-1,563
IKOLE L.G
ADC-812
APC-26,508
PDP-750
IREPODUN/IFELODUN L.G
ADC-511
APC-29,278
PDP-2,119
EKITI EAST L.G
ADC-1,730
APC-26,359
PDP-2,795
MOBA L.G
ADC-994
APC-20,500
PDP-1,572
TOTAL
APC – 319,224
PDP – 40,543
ADC – 12,872
Total registered voters: 988,252
Total accredited voters: 384,940
Total valid votes: 375,777
Total rejected votes: 6332
Total votes cast: 382,109
Accord: 564
AA:126
AAC:195
ADC:12872
ADP:1269
APC: 319,224
APP:61
APM:55
LP:276
NNPP:35
PDP:40543
PRP:163
SDP:179
YPP:98
ZLP:113