The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially declared Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the 2026 Ekiti State Governorship Election.

The Returning Officer for the election, Professor Adenike Oladiji, announced the result in the early hours of Sunday at the State Collation Centre in Ado-Ekiti after the completion of collation from the 16 local government areas of the state.

According to the official results released by INEC, Oyebanji polled 319,224 votes to secure a resounding victory over his closest challengers. The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oluwole Oluyede, garnered 40,543 votes, while Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) secured 12,872 votes.

Professor Oladiji stated that having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of valid votes cast, Biodun Oyebanji was duly returned elected as Governor of Ekiti State for a second term.

The election, conducted across the state’s 16 local government areas on Saturday, witnessed the APC candidate dominating the polls with victories recorded in all local government areas.

With the victory, Oyebanji has secured another four-year mandate to continue leading the affairs of Ekiti State, extending the APC’s hold on power in the state.

Party supporters erupted in jubilation across parts of Ado-Ekiti and other major towns following the announcement, celebrating what they described as a decisive endorsement of the governor’s administration by the electorate.

The Ekiti State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Erelu Tosin Aluko-Ajisafe, has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the peaceful and orderly conduct of the Ekiti State governorship election.

Speaking shortly after casting her vote, Chief Mrs. Aluko described the electoral process as smooth, transparent, and largely devoid of violence, noting that the exercise reflected significant improvements in Nigeria’s democratic process.

She praised INEC officials, security agencies, and electoral stakeholders for ensuring a conducive atmosphere that enabled voters to exercise their civic responsibilities without fear or intimidation.

The commissioner expressed satisfaction with the turnout of voters across polling units and urged residents to continue to maintain peace throughout the electoral process and beyond.

Mrs. Aluko-Ajisafe also expressed optimism about the chances of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the election, citing the governor’s performance and developmental strides across the state.

According to her, the achievements recorded by the Oyebanji administration in critical sectors, including infrastructure, education, healthcare, environmental sustainability, and economic development, have earned the governor widespread support among the electorate.

She stated that Ekiti people were in a position to assess the governor’s performance over the years and expressed confidence that voters would reward his administration with another term in office.

The commissioner called on political actors and their supporters to respect the electoral process and await the official declaration of results by INEC, emphasizing that peace and unity remain paramount to the continued progress of the state.

She reiterated her belief that the peaceful conduct of the election would further strengthen democratic governance in Ekiti State and serve as an example for future elections across the country.

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has warned that anyone found violating electoral laws during the Ekiti State governorship election will face strict legal consequences, as security agencies intensify efforts to ensure a peaceful and credible poll.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anthony Placid, said the police had completed extensive security preparations and deployments across the state ahead of the election.

He stressed that electoral offences and any actions capable of undermining the integrity of the electoral process would be met with firm enforcement of the law.

“The Nigeria Police Force warns that electoral offences and any act capable of undermining the integrity of the electoral process will be dealt with in accordance with the Electoral Act and other extant laws,” the statement said.

Placid urged residents and voters to remain law-abiding and conduct themselves peacefully throughout the election period.

According to him, security personnel have been strategically deployed to all 2,545 polling units in the state, as well as critical infrastructure, major entry and exit routes, border communities, and other key locations identified as sensitive areas.

The spokesperson disclosed that the Commissioner of Police in charge of Election Security, CP Shogule Abayomi, has put in place a multi-layered security framework aimed at guaranteeing a peaceful, transparent, and hitch-free electoral process.

He noted that security operatives and operational assets have been positioned across polling units and other designated locations to ensure the safety of voters, election officials, observers, and electoral materials throughout the exercise.

“The deployment is designed to provide adequate security coverage and prevent any disruption of the electoral process,” Placid stated.

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Tunji Disu, assured Nigerians that officers deployed for election duties had been properly briefed on their responsibilities and rules of engagement.

The IGP emphasized that all personnel would carry out their duties professionally, impartially, and strictly in line with the law to ensure public confidence in the electoral process.

As part of measures to enhance public participation in maintaining security, the police announced a dedicated election emergency line — 080062335577 — through which residents can report security threats, suspicious activities, or incidents requiring urgent intervention.

The Force also encouraged eligible voters to come out peacefully and exercise their constitutional right to vote without fear, intimidation, or harassment.

In addition, the police cautioned members of the public against spreading unverified information, rumours, or false reports capable of causing panic or disrupting public order during the election.

Reaffirming its commitment to the conduct of a free, fair, credible, and peaceful governorship election, the Nigeria Police Force assured residents of Ekiti State of adequate protection of lives and property before, during, and after the poll.