Biodun Oyebanji has set record as the first incumbent governor of Ekiti State, since 1999, to be re-elected.
“Therefore, I, Adenike Oladiji… hereby declare that Oyebanji Abiodun Abayomi, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is duly elected and stands RE-ELECTED,” declared the Professor Adenike Oladiji, Vice-Chancellor of FUTA and Returning Officer at the collation centre in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, at about midnight.
The hall erupted. APC chants drowned out the hum of generators. Governor Biodun Oyebanji had done it again.
–THE NUMBERS THAT TOLD THE STORY–
When the votes were counted and dust settled, the margin was not close — it was a landslide.
Oyebanji, APC: 319,224 votes
Olumayokun Oluyede, PDP: 40,533 votes
Oluwadare Bejide, ADC: 12,872 votes
Out of 988,251 registered voters, 384,940 showed up. 382,109 votes cast. 375,777 counted as valid.
The message was clear: Ekiti spoke, and it spoke loud.
—THE SWEEP—
Oyebanji didn’t just win. He conquered. All 16 local governments fell to the APC broom — including Efon LGA, the PDP candidate’s own backyard.
In Efon, the numbers stung: APC 8,742. PDP 2,051. ADC 201. Even at home, Oluyede couldn’t hold the line.
From Ado-Ekiti to Irepodun/Ifelodun, Ekiti West to Ikole, Ijero to Moba and Ekiti East — the APC wave washed over every corner.
—THE VERDICT—
Saturday’s ballot was a referendum. Sunday’s declaration was the answer.
Biodun Oyebanji walks back into Government House for a second term, carrying the mandate of every LGA in the state.
For his opponents, it’s back to the drawing board. For Ekiti, the work continues.
Ekiti has decided and INEC has validated the decision.
