By Lateef Ibrahim
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has secured a historic second term in office after recording a resounding victory in the state’s governorship election, drawing praise from political leaders and party stakeholders.
Announcing the results on Sunday in Ado-Ekiti, the Returning Officer and Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Prof. Adenike Oladiji, declared Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner after polling 319,224 votes.
His closest rival, Dr. Wole Oluyede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), garnered 40,543 votes, while Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) secured 12,872 votes.
Reacting to the outcome, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele described the victory as a strong endorsement of Oyebanji’s leadership style and governance record, noting that the governor’s re-election reflects the confidence reposed in him by the people of Ekiti State.
Bamidele, who served as Chairman of the APC Governorship Election Campaign Council, said the renewed mandate would ensure continuity in ongoing development programmes and reforms aimed at improving the lives of residents.
He noted that Oyebanji had distinguished himself by promoting political harmony and fostering collaboration among leaders across party lines, a development he said has contributed to stability and progress in the state.
According to the Senate Leader, the governor’s ability to maintain cordial relationships with former governors and other political stakeholders has created an atmosphere of unity rarely seen in the country’s political space.
Bamidele further described Oyebanji’s re-election as a landmark achievement, saying the governor became the first elected governor in Ekiti State to secure consecutive re-election victories since the return to democratic rule in 1999.
He expressed confidence that the governor’s second term would consolidate existing achievements, deepen developmental initiatives and further strengthen Ekiti’s reputation as a state committed to good governance and political stability.
The Senate Leader also commended the people of Ekiti State for their peaceful conduct throughout the election process and thanked the leadership of the APC at both national and state levels for their support in securing the victory.However, the party maintains that the adjustments were administrative decisions taken in line with an existing political understanding between the NDC leadership in Kano and members of the Kwankwasiyya movement.
Documents issued by the Kano State chapter of the party indicate that the revisions were intended to reflect an earlier power-sharing arrangement governing the distribution of party offices and elective positions.
The document, signed by the Kano State Chairman of the NDC, Hon. Hussaini Isah Mairiga, stated that the changes were necessary to preserve the balance agreed upon by both factions.
Despite the controversy generated by the candidate substitutions, the NDC insists that its relationship with Kwankwaso remains intact and that reports of a possible defection are baseless.
Party officials say their focus remains on strengthening internal cohesion and expanding the party’s political reach rather than responding to what they describe as distractions from opponents.
