The Ekiti State governorship election is scheduled to hold on Saturday, June 20, according to the timetable of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This election is one of the off-cycle polls in Nigeria, stemming from an electoral dispute that began during the 2007 general election when the Court of Appeal nullified the victories of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
Campaigns Intensify Ahead of Election
Campaigns for the 2026 governorship election in Ekiti have become increasingly intense, with heightened rhetoric and occasional clashes between political parties. However, calm has reportedly been restored following the intervention of key stakeholders. In May 2026, the National Peace Committee (NPC), in collaboration with INEC, organized a peace accord signing for all candidates contesting in the forthcoming election.
Among the contenders, three top candidates have emerged as frontrunners, each with distinct advantages that could propel them to victory. Below is a detailed analysis of these candidates and the factors working in their favor.
Biodun Oyebanji (APC)
Biodun Oyebanji is the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the incumbent governor of Ekiti State. At 58 years old, Oyebanji stands a strong chance of retaining his seat due to the power of incumbency and the backing of federal might. Before becoming governor, he served as Secretary to the State Government under the administration of former Governor Kayode Fayemi. Oyebanji holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and a Master’s degree in International Relations & Strategic Studies from Ondo State University (now Ekiti State University) and the University of Ibadan, respectively.
Oluwadare Bejide (ADC)
Oluwadare Bejide is the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a newly adopted coalition party with significant recognition in the state. At 66 years old, Bejide brings over 30 years of political experience. He previously served as the state secretary of the National Republican Convention (NRC) in the old Ondo State and was the pioneer secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ekiti.
Oyebanji Olajuyin (Labour Party)
Oyebanji Olajuyin is the Labour Party candidate, selected through a consensus arrangement during the party's primaries. A medical doctor, academic, and politician from Ikere Ekiti, Olajuyin is a professor of ear, nose, and throat surgery. He also serves as an associate lecturer in Anatomy and a Medico-linguistic Researcher at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti. He has pledged to bring integrity, competence, and compassion to governance.
International Observers to Monitor Election
In related news, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, announced that the United Kingdom will deploy observers to monitor the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections. Montgomery made this statement during his visit to the APC national chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, at the party's national headquarters. The British commission emphasized that while the UK respects Nigeria's sovereignty, it maintains a keen interest in the country's democratic and economic progress.
