Editorials
Ekiti Decides Today: Oyebanji Faces ADC’s Bajide, PDP’s Wole, 8 other challengers as over one million voters head to polls
Ekiti State goes to the polls today in one of Nigeria’s most closely watched off-cycle governorship elections, with Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the APC seeking a second term against 10 other candidates.
The election, which is taking place across the state’s 16 local government areas and 2,445 polling units, will determine whether Oyebanji becomes the first governor in Ekiti’s history to win two consecutive terms.
With over 1.02 million registered voters expected to participate, the contest is widely seen as a referendum on the governor’s first-term performance and a key indicator of political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Oyebanji enters the race as the favourite, backed by the APC’s extensive political structure, control of all National Assembly seats from the state, all 26 seats in the State House of Assembly, all 16 local government councils and 22 LCDAs. His re-election bid has also received endorsements from former governors Adeniyi Adebayo, Ayodele Fayose, Kayode Fayemi and Segun Oni, as well as respected legal figures Afe Babalola and Wole Olanipekun.
The ADC candidate, Ambassador Dare Bejide, is positioning himself as the main opposition challenger. Backed by several prominent opposition figures and supported by top ADC leaders including former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Bejide hopes to translate growing opposition sentiment into votes despite concerns about the party’s grassroots structure.
For the PDP, Dr. Wole Oluyede faces an uphill battle following the decision of former Governor Ayodele Fayose to openly support Oyebanji. Nevertheless, the PDP candidate is banking on support from Ekiti South and other traditional PDP strongholds to remain competitive.
Also on the ballot are candidates of the AAC, Accord, ADP, APP, Labour Party, NNPP, PRP, YPP and ZLP.
As voting begins, all eyes are on Ekiti. Beyond choosing a governor, the election is expected to provide a major test of the APC’s popularity, the strength of the opposition, and the political mood of voters ahead of the 2027 elections.
Follow Us on Google Discover
2027: Gov Kefas names APC women leader Zainab Ibrahim as running mate
Gov Yusuf, Emir Sanusi officiate mass wedding for 1,500 couples in Kano (Photos)
Lagos arrests 27 over alleged vandalism of Festac-Alakija bridge
Kwara: Months after abduction, rescued Woro victims return to Ilorin
NPFL: Sporting Lagos sign Usman Mohammed on two-year deal
Former Ekiti Governor Fayose assumes office as REA board chairman
Davido fires back as Edo Governor ridicules Adeleke’s dancing
Toke Makinwa reveals daughter’s face as she turns one
Police to deploy four officers per polling unit for Osun governorship election – IGP
Anambra agency nabs mother, accomplice over alleged sale of newborn for N2.9m
‘My son will surpass me in football’ – Ronaldo
‘Put citizens first’ – Gov Eno tells Nigerian leaders
Accord Party seeks Olukoyede’s resignation over Osun account freeze
Two Nigerians get 40-year jail term in Ghana over human trafficking, cybercrime
Enugu govt allocates land for ITF digital skills hub
Documents submitted to FRSC list Tinubu, Wike, SGF as PFIFC board members
Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) opens massive academic staff recruitment across 40 departments for 2026 (Apply Now)
Moniepoint opens massive 2026 recruitment for 97 vacancies (How to apply)
Dino to Tinubu: ‘Watch it, God may call you like Abacha before the election
FG okays permanent employment of 3,252 PTA teachers into federal civil service
‘I have received a mysterious credit alert,’ Atiku raises alarm, questions how his private account details were leaked
2027: APC finalises upload of guber, state assembly candidates on INEC portal
BREAKING: Tinubu orders EFCC to unfreeze Osun govt account
Zamfara State begins recruitment of Nurses, Pharmacists, others (How to Apply)
Real reason I directed EFCC to lift freeze on Osun accounts – Tinubu
Pan-Atlantic University (PAU) opens recruitment for four key positions (How To Apply)
BREAKING: ICPC unmasks two additional fake agencies during PFIPC probe
‘I’m being held illegally, probe me publicly’ – Detained PFIPC DG Adeniyi tells Reps
WAFCON 2026: Nigeria hammer Egypt 6-2, seal quarter-final spot
