The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji winner of Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State.
INEC’s Chief Returning Officer and Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) Professor Adenike Oladiji made the final declaration about 3am on Sunday.
Governor Oyebanji polled a total of 319,224 votes to defeat his two closest challengers, Dr Wole Oluyede of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Ambassador Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The PDP candidate came at a distant second with 40,543 votes, while the ADC candidate finished third with 12,872 votes.
By his re-election, Oyebanji has become the first Ekiti Governor to be elected two consecutive terms, in the history of the 29-year-old state.
Addressing journalists at the Situation Room, Government House, Ado Ekiti, shortly after the result announcement , Governor Oyebanji dedicated the victory to God, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Ekit people.
He described the election as a celebration of democracy in Ekiti State and expressed gratitude to God and the people of the state for the overwhelming mandate.
The Governor said the victory is a reflection of the confidence of Ekiti people in his administration’s policies and programmes.
The Governor, who was joined at the situation room by his wife, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, and some of his colleague governors, said the outcome of the election was a strong vote of confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership and administration, stressing that the support demonstrated by the electorate underscores the alignment of Ekiti people with the vision and direction of the federal government.
While assuring the people that the renewed mandate would spur his administration to greater service, Governor Oyebanji pledged to consolidate on existing achievements, intensify the implementation of people-oriented policies and continue serving the people with integrity, humility and fear of God.
The Governor said “I give God all the glory and today is a celebration of democracy in Ekiti State and I am so humbled by this overwhelming victory and I thank God for this. I also congratulate the President because what has happened today is a vote of confidence by Ekiti people in his administration. So, I dedicated the victory to God Almighty and to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
“The reward for hard work is more work, I will continue to press on the turtle and double up on our achievements in implementing policies that has endear this administration to people. I’m so humbled by the show of love and by the expression of confidence in our administration; we will continue to serve the people with integrity and fear of God”, he stated.
Some APC Governors at the Situation Room to solidarise with Oyebanji include Chairman, Progressives Governors Forum/ Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma; Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Chairman, APC National Campaign Council/ Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani.
Others are Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum; Edo Governor. Senator Monday Okpebholo; Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo; Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori; and Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbus Kefas.
Other dignitaries at the Situation room are the Senate Leader, who is also the Chairman Ekiti APC Governorship Election Campaign Council, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele; first Civilian Governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, National Assembly members and some members of the state executive council.
