The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State the winner at the polling unit of the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, during the state governorship election held on Saturday, June 20. Oyebanji, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), secured a landslide victory, polling 164 votes. His closest rival, Wole Oluyede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), garnered only eight votes. The Action Democratic Party (ADP) candidate, Ayodeji Ojo, came third with a single vote, according to the polling unit officer as reported by PM News.
Senate Leader Commends Voter Turnout and INEC's Logistics
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the Ekiti governorship election. He praised the high voter turnout across the state and commended INEC for the timely deployment of electoral materials and officials to all 16 local government areas. Bamidele noted that the efficient logistics contributed to a smooth electoral process.
Voter Registration and PVC Collection Statistics
INEC earlier reported that out of 1,059,360 registered voters in Ekiti State, 1,028,929 collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the election. This represents a 97.1% PVC collection rate, indicating strong voter preparedness. The election was conducted across the state's 16 local government areas, with results being collated at various levels.
Context and Implications
The victory at the Senate Leader's polling unit is seen as a strong indicator of APC's performance in the election. Oyebanji's decisive win in Bamidele's area underscores the party's organizational strength and grassroots support. The PDP's low vote count in that unit reflects the challenges faced by the opposition in key strongholds. The election is being closely watched as a test of the ruling party's popularity in Ekiti State.
