On Saturday,June 20,2026, Ekiti state went to the poll for governorship election. The election conducted across all the 16 local government areas of the state, again produced the incumbent governor Biodun Oyebanji as the winner.
The Returning Officer for the election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Adenike Oladiji declared Oyebanji winner of the governorship poll after scored 319,224 votes to defeat his closest rival, Dr. Wole Oluyede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 40,543 votes while the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ambassador Dare Bejide, came a distant third with 12,872 votes.
Reacting to the development a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress, APC and Communication Strategist, Abiodun Borisade described the victory as historic and political Homecoming
His words:
“One hundred and thirty-three years after the Kiriji War brought about the Ekiti Parapo, the Land of Honour has found a new rallying point. On June 20, 2026, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, fondly called BAO, secured re-election in what party leaders now describe as a political homecoming — a moment when Ekiti spoke with one voice and one direction. The victory, Borisade said, is less about ballots and more about destiny fulfilled.
“The last time in our collective history that Ekiti spoke with one voice was during the Kiriji War of 1877 to 1893.On June 2026, the Child of Destiny, Biodun Oyebanji, through divine intervention, claimed a spot in the political history of Ekitikete by galvanizing the entire political space to secure his return to office for a second term.
“The symbolism runs deep. The Ekiti Parapo was born out of resistance and unity; Oyebanji’s victory, was born out of performance and peace.
“The journey was at times turbulent, as expected in politics, But the ship stayed steady on course, while more well-wishers joined the sail. That is the mark of a leader who listens.
“The scale of the victory reflected broad public endorsement .The result we witnessed across all 16 local governments was a testament to the public acceptability of the governor. From my polling unit and ward in Iloro/Ijurin, to others, voted en masse for the APC.
Borisade linked the victory to months of structured engagement. He said:
“In the build-up to the election, the ‘Door to Door’ mobilisation effort received support from my humble self. I facilitated the creation of three BAO Anchor Groups — in Iloro Ward A and Iloro/Ijurin Ward B — and one in my Ado Ekiti neighborhood. That structure helped translate goodwill into actual votes.”
Borisade credited civic awareness for the turnout. “So far, so good. The general public has come to realize the benefits of fulfilling their civic duty by voting on election day for Governor Oyebanji is proof that citizens reward performance and peace.”
Borisade insisted the victory is a mandate for continuity, not complacency. “When Ekiti unites, Ekiti develops. The Kiriji generation fought for freedom of identity; this generation voted for freedom of progress,” he added: “Governor Oyebanji now carries not just APC’s flag, but the collective voice of artisans, teachers, farmers, and youths who want roads completed, salaries paid, and peace sustained.”
The APC chieftain in his charge to ruling party and the opposition stated “Let us keep the sail steady. The war ended in 1893. The work begins now.”
