Grok AI has projected the winner of the 2026 Ekiti state governorship election, identifying Governor 'Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji as the strong frontrunner. The artificial intelligence system analyzed the political landscape and highlighted Oyebanji, along with Oluwole Oluyede and Dare Bejide, as the top candidates in the race.
Voters in the southwestern state will choose from 14 candidates on June 20, 2026. Grok AI stated: 'APC's incumbent Gov Biodun Oyebanji is the strong frontrunner to win tomorrow's Ekiti governorship election. Analysts cite his incumbency advantage, party structure and momentum. PDP's Wole Oluyede leads the opposition challenge, but LP, ADC and NDC trail far behind. Ekiti voters decide at the polls.'
Key Candidates in the Ekiti 2026 Governorship Election
Oluwole Oluyede (PDP)
Oluwole Oluyede, a medical practitioner and businessman, is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate. He won the party's November 2025 primary and previously contested in 2022 under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) banner before joining the PDP.
Biodun Oyebanji (APC)
Governor Biodun Oyebanji, from Ikogosi-Ekiti, seeks a second term on the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform. A political scientist with a master's degree from the University of Ibadan, he served as chief of staff and Secretary to the State Government under former Governor Kayode Fayemi. Oyebanji won the 2022 election with 187,057 votes and emerged as the APC candidate through a consensus arrangement after his sole challenger, Atinuke Omolayo, withdrew and endorsed him. At 59, he will make history if re-elected, as no incumbent has won consecutive terms since the state's first governor, Adeniyi Adebayo, served a single term in 1999.
Oyebanji Olajuyin (Labour Party)
Oyebanji Olajuyin, a 67-year-old professor and medical doctor, is the Labour Party (LP) consensus candidate. A former chief medical director of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, he campaigns on healthcare reforms, education, transparent governance, and human capital development.
Oluwadare Bejide (ADC)
Oluwadare Bejide, a 66-year-old lawyer and businessman, is a seasoned politician. A native of Ilawe-Ekiti, he began his political career before Ekiti state's creation and served as state secretary of the National Republican Convention (NRC) in old Ondo state. He is also a former Nigerian Ambassador to Canada.
Victor Adetunji (ZLP)
Victor Adetunji, 38, contests on the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) platform, with Adesina Oyeniyi as his deputy governorship candidate.
Political Analysis and Predictions
Public affairs analyst Donald Okwuosa earlier predicted Governor Oyebanji's re-election, citing incumbency factor, sentiment dynamics, and Ekiti's status as an APC stronghold. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the final list of 14 candidates for the election.
