Voters Decide As Oyebanji, Oluyede, 12 Others Battle For Ekiti Governorship Seat

Voters across the sixteen local government areas in Ekiti State, on Saturday, headed to polling centres to elect a governor who will steer the affairs of the state for the next four years.

In the keenly watched off-cycle governorship election, a total of 14 candidates are participating in the race, with incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji seeking re-election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress as his first term ends in October.

His closest challenger is Oluwole Oluyede of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Other contestants in the election include Oluwadare Bejide of the ADC, Oyebanji Olajuyin of the LP, Blessing Abegunde of the NNPP, Samuel Akande of the AAC, Ayodeji Ojo of the ADP, Opeyemi Felegan of Accord, Joseph Anifowose of the APM, Bidemi Awogbemi of the APP, Olaniyi Ayodele of the PRP, Victor Adetunji of the ZLP, Olu Omotosho of the AA and Ayodele Osinkolu of the YPP, although reports suggest that Osinkolu may have stepped down from the race.

Despite the crowded field, political observers have largely framed the election as a direct contest between Oyebanji and Oluyede. However, many analysts believe the incumbent enjoys a substantial advantage, with some describing the exercise as a likely reaffirmation of his administration's mandate.

According to figures released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, Ekiti State now has 1,059,360 registered voters, an increase from the 989,224 recorded in 2022 and the 909,585 registered ahead of the 2018 governorship election.

Of the registered electorate, 1,028,929 residents who have collected their Permanent Voter Cards are eligible to vote in the election, which is taking place across 2,445 polling units located in 177 wards spread across the state's 16 local government areas.

The governorship poll is also being closely monitored as a key test for INEC ahead of the 2027 general elections. It is the first major electoral exercise to be conducted under the amended Electoral Act 2026, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in February, introducing fresh guidelines for election administration.

INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan has repeatedly assured residents and stakeholders that the commission is fully prepared for the exercise, which officially commenced at 8:30 a.m.

Following an inspection of mock accreditation exercises conducted in selected polling units last week, Amupitan said all necessary logistics, including the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), had been put in place to guarantee a smooth voting process.

He also disclosed that additional backup BVAS machines and technical personnel had been stationed across registration areas to swiftly address any technical glitches that may arise during the exercise.

On security arrangements, the INEC chairman revealed that 469 polling units had been identified as potential flashpoints. He noted that the electoral body had been working closely with security agencies to ensure adequate protection for voters, electoral officials and election materials.

Security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, have already deployed thousands of personnel across the state to prevent disturbances and guarantee a peaceful and credible election.