Nigeria: In Landslide, Oyebanji Wins Second Term As INEC Declares Ekiti Election Results

Lead

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Ekiti State governorship election. The Returning Officer, Professor Adenike Oladiji, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, announced the result in the early hours of Sunday at INEC headquarters in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital. Oyebanji polled 319,224 votes to defeat his closest rival, Dr. Wole Oluyede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 40,543 votes, as reported by multiple reports from AllAfrica.

Coverage Comparison

Reports from AllAfrica presented the outcome both as a decisive victory for the incumbent and as an exercise shadowed by complaints of irregularities. While several accounts focused on the scale of Oyebanji's win, noting his victory in all 16 local government areas and across the 2,445 polling units, another described the election as conducted "amid complaints of irregularities," citing incidents of violence and operational challenges.

The electoral commission's conduct was a common thread: some reports framed the result as a testament to INEC's effective management, while a more critical account highlighted allegations of vote-buying and intimidation at specific polling units. The president's congratulations were mentioned in two of the reports, and the APC's performance in simultaneous bye-elections was noted in one.

Key Claims

• Governor Biodun Oyebanji was declared winner with 319,224 votes, defeating PDP's Dr. Wole Oluyede, who received 40,543 votes.
• The election was conducted across 2,445 polling units in 16 local government areas. A total of 1,028,929 eligible voters participated, according to one report.
• Civil society organisations commended the peaceful conduct of the poll but raised concerns over incidents of vote-buying and voter intimidation in some areas.
• President Bola Tinubu congratulated Oyebanji on his victory.
• The APC won five of the six bye-elections held in other states, losing in Rivers to the PDP, as reported by one source.
• ADC candidate Dare Bejide came third with 12,872 votes.

Perspectives

Governor Biodun Oyebanji (APC): Described the outcome as "an unprecedented electoral outcome" and a "thunderous yea" from the electorate, pledging to serve "with courage, compassion, humility and the fear of God." He credited President Tinubu's reforms for freeing resources to states.

Dr. Wole Oluyede (PDP): Alleged widespread irregularities in the conduct of the poll, accusing INEC and security agencies of actions capable of undermining the election's credibility.

Dare Bejide (ADC): Rejected the results, alleging "electoral robbery" and vote-buying, and claimed that an APC chieftain attempted to distribute money near his polling unit, leading to a scuffle.

Civil Society Organisations: Commended the peaceful conduct of the poll but raised concerns over vote-buying and voter intimidation.

INEC: Reiterated its commitment to conducting credible polls that reflect the genuine will of voters, as stated by its chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan.