Politics
BREAKING: Oyebanji takes early lead as ADC candidate loses polling unit in Ekiti guber poll
Ekiti State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Biodun Oyebanji, has established an early lead in the 2026 governorship election as results from several polling units begin to emerge across the state.
One of the major early upsets came from the polling unit of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Dare Bejide, where he suffered a heavy defeat to the incumbent governor.
At Bejide’s polling unit, the APC secured 140 votes, while the ADC managed 37 votes. The African Action Congress (AAC) polled 3 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) recorded just 2 votes.
Governor Oyebanji also recorded a resounding victory at his own polling unit, Polling Unit 003, Ikogosi, in Ekiti West Local Government Area, polling 326 votes. Bejide received only 2 votes at the same unit, while the Action Democratic Party (ADP) and AAC scored 1 vote each. Three ballots were declared void.
However, the PDP governorship candidate, Wole Oludeye, won at his polling unit, polling 113 votes to defeat Oyebanji, who secured 84 votes.
Early results indicate the APC is maintaining a significant lead across several parts of the state, with the PDP trailing behind and the ADC occupying third position in many areas.
The election is being contested by candidates from multiple political parties, with 1,059,360 registered voters expected to cast ballots across 2,445 polling units statewide.
Meanwhile, the exercise has been overshadowed by widespread allegations of vote-buying and financial inducement.
Earlier in the day, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) visited Governor Oyebanji’s polling unit to monitor compliance with electoral laws, although no arrests were reported.
At Polling Unit 10, Ward B, in Iyin-Ekiti, residents reportedly confronted and chased away EFCC officials who arrived to investigate alleged vote-buying activities, insisting there was no wrongdoing at the polling centre.
Reports from several communities also alleged open cash inducement by party agents. In Aramoko-Ekiti, voters reportedly claimed they were offered cash incentives in exchange for votes, despite repeated warnings from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and anti-corruption agencies against electoral malpractice.
As collation continues, attention remains focused on whether the early APC lead will translate into a statewide victory for Governor Oyebanji or whether opposition parties can narrow the gap as more results are announced.
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