Dare Abejide, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Ekiti State, has strongly criticized the recently concluded governorship election, describing it as a significant blow to democracy. Speaking on Channels Television's Sunday Politics, Abejide questioned the credibility of the election, which saw Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) secure a second term.
Allegations of vote buying and misconduct
Abejide claimed the election was marred by vote buying, intimidation, and alleged misconduct by some officials. He described the process as a disappointing moment for the state. "First, the election was a very bad one. Yesterday was a very bad day for democracy in the state. It was a day when democracy took flight from Ekiti State," Abejide said. He alleged that polling units became places where votes were exchanged for money and accused security personnel of failing to maintain neutrality.
INEC declares Oyebanji winner
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Oyebanji the winner of the election after he polled 319,224 votes across the 16 local government areas of the state. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Oluwole Oluyede, came second with 40,543 votes, while Abejide scored 12,872 votes.
ADC candidate considers next steps
Abejide further alleged that the process was influenced by financial inducements, saying: "It was like a battleground." He added that his team was still reviewing results from polling units before deciding on the next move. "One of them is to consult with my party members. We are still collecting results from all the polling units. We will analyse the results and take appropriate action," he said.
APC hails Oyebanji
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has congratulated Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji following his re-election. The party shared its message on X on June 21, 2026, acknowledging his victory in the governorship election.
