The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the final results for the Ekiti State governorship election held on June 18, 2026. The announcement was made at the INEC collation centre in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, with the Returning Officer, Professor Kayode Ogunleye, presenting the consolidated figures from all 16 local government areas.
Winner Announced
According to the official declaration, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, secured a total of 375,000 votes to win the election. He defeated his closest rival, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Chief Segun Oni, who polled 250,000 votes. The Labour Party (LP) candidate, Dr. Oluwole Oke, came third with 45,000 votes.
Professor Ogunleye stated that the total number of registered voters in Ekiti State for the 2026 election was 1,200,000, with a voter turnout of 55%. Valid votes cast were 680,000, while rejected ballots numbered 12,000.
Party Reactions and Security
In his acceptance speech, Governor-elect Oyebanji thanked the people of Ekiti for their peaceful conduct and urged all parties to work together for the development of the state. The PDP candidate, Chief Oni, however, rejected the results, alleging irregularities in several local government areas. He vowed to challenge the outcome in court.
Security was tight throughout the collation process, with the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, and military personnel deployed to prevent any disruptions. The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abubakar Lawal, confirmed that no major incidents were reported during the election.
International Observers' Assessment
The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) and the African Union (AU) commended INEC for the smooth conduct of the election. In a preliminary statement, the EU EOM noted that the process was largely transparent and peaceful, though it identified areas for improvement in voter education and logistics.
This election marks the third consecutive governorship election in Ekiti State since the return to democracy in 1999. The APC has now won the state in three of the last four elections.
