Ekiti Election Aftermath: Vote-Buying Allegations Rock Oyebanji's Controversial Victory, Draws National Outcry

Ekiti State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Biodun Oyebanji, achieved a historic re-election victory in the 2026 governorship election, making him the first governor in the state's history to win a consecutive election. Following his win, Governor Oyebanji extended "hands of fellowship" to his opponents, emphasizing that the electoral exercise was concluded and governance must now take precedence. He delivered his victory speech in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday, having defeated 13 other candidates in the off-cycle election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chief Returning Officer, Professor Adenike Oladiji, declared Governor Oyebanji the winner at approximately 3 a.m. on Sunday. Mr. Oyebanji secured an overwhelming 319,224 votes, significantly surpassing the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Wole Oluyede, who received 40,543 votes. Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) finished third with 12,872 votes. Governor Oyebanji demonstrated his strong mandate by winning all 16 local government areas of the state.

In his conciliatory remarks, Governor Oyebanji revealed that he had personally contacted Messrs. Oluyede and Bejide, with ongoing discussions planned for later Sunday, stressing the importance of collective progress for Ekiti State. He described his victory as a clear validation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration and an unprecedented electoral outcome reflecting the confidence of the Ekiti people in both his government and the President’s leadership. He further stated that the mandate was a humbling endorsement of his administration's developmental strides over the last four years and the federal-level reforms by President Tinubu. The Governor noted, "The people of Ekiti have spoken loudly and unequivocally. They have spoken not in muffled voices but in a thunderous roar. We have heard them clearly, and we accept the challenge that this historic mandate has placed on our shoulders.”

Mr. Oyebanji underscored that the election result represented more than a political victory; it signified a major shift in the state's political culture, highlighting the triumph of peace, consensus-building, and democratic maturity over violence and division. Unlike previous electoral cycles, this election was conducted peacefully without incidents of violence, demonstrating that politics can be conducted in an atmosphere of harmony. He attributed his re-election to the confidence the people reposed in his administration and the diligent implementation of his administration’s six-pillar development agenda, which had positively impacted residents across the state. "If they have chosen to re-employ us, it means we are doing something right," he remarked, emphasizing that Ekiti voters are politically sophisticated and make informed choices based on performance.

Despite the declared victory and peaceful environment, several election credibility advocacy groups raised concerns over the electoral process. The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), in its preliminary assessment, reported widespread allegations of vote-buying, inconsistencies in sensitive election materials, and malfunctioning voter accreditation devices. Ballot papers contained names of 19 political parties, while Form EC8A result sheets listed only 15, despite INEC recognizing 14 candidates. CDD also documented instances where election officials initially issued unstamped ballot papers, later corrected, and reported several cases of malfunctioning Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices in areas like Ado-Ekiti and Oye Local Government Areas. The group also noted procedural violations by party agents, including alleged interference and improper assistance to voters, and the apparent absence of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials at many polling units. Concerns were also raised about misinformation and a discrepancy in vote counting at an Ado-Ekiti polling unit where votes exceeded BVAS accreditation, due to duplicate and unserialized ballot papers.

Similarly, Yiaga Africa, another election observation group, confirmed that INEC's official results for the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election were consistent with its independent verification estimates, falling within its estimated range. However, Yiaga Africa warned that widespread vote buying and voter inducement cast a significant shadow over the credibility of the electoral process, questioning whether voters could make choices freely. The group observed party agents issuing numbered slips to voters after casting ballots, a tactic often used to facilitate post-voting payments. Yiaga Africa also flagged a discrepancy in voter turnout figures, with INEC announcing 38.7% while Yiaga Africa estimated 34.1% to 38.2%. This variance was attributed to INEC using the 2022 Ekiti register (988,251 registered voters) for calculation, instead of the updated 2026 register (1,059,360 registered voters).

The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) corroborated these concerns, reporting incidents of vote buying and other electoral irregularities across several local government areas. CJID also noted instances where party agents allegedly offered improper assistance to voters, reminding that voter assistance is legally restricted to persons with disabilities and must be provided by a chosen individual. All three observer groups urged INEC and security agencies to investigate reported cases, hold culprits accountable, clarify discrepancies, and intensify efforts against vote trading. They also called on political parties to train polling agents and authorities to regulate the use of incumbency powers and state resources to ensure fair elections.

The re-election of Governor Oyebanji garnered widespread commendation. The All Progressives Congress (APC), through its National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka, congratulated the Governor, describing his victory as a clear endorsement of his administration's performance and people-oriented policies. President Bola Tinubu also extended his congratulations, commending the people for their peaceful conduct and renewed confidence in the governor. President Tinubu praised security agencies and urged INEC to continue improving election conduct ahead of future polls, including the forthcoming Osun governorship election and the 2027 general elections. Both the APC and President Tinubu linked Oyebanji's anticipated second-term agenda to the successful implementation of the President's transformative Renewed Hope Agenda at the state level. President Tinubu urged Governor Oyebanji to remain magnanimous in victory and ensure inclusiveness in governance, calling on other candidates to support the governor for the state's interest. The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with Ekiti State for the delivery of democracy's dividends.