D-Day in Ekiti: Oyebanji, Bajide, Wole, others battle for Governor’s seat

Ekiti State votes in an off-cycle gubernatorial election today, with incumbent governor, Biodun Oyebanji of the APC, vying for a second term amid competition from ten other candidates.

In this election which is happening in the 16 local government areas and 2,445 polling units of the state, the question is whether or not the incumbent will make history as the first Ekiti governor to secure two successive tenures.

This election with more than 1.02 million registered voters set to vote is considered a litmus test for the performance of the incumbent governor and also for political trends ahead of 2027 general elections.

Oyebanji is the favorite in this election because of the strength of his political party, the APC which controls all the National Assembly seats from the state, all 26 seats in the State House of Assembly, all the 16 local government councils and 22 LCDAs. The incumbent governor’s quest for a second tenure has also earned him endorsement from former governors Adeniyi Adebayo, Ayodele Fayose, Kayode Fayemi and Segun Oni, as well as top legal brains Are Babalola and Wole Olanipekun.

The ADC party is running with the Amb. Dare Bejide as its candidate. The ADC candidate enjoys support from many opposition personalities and support from some ADC party leaders like David Mark, Senate President and Rauf Aregbesola, Governor Osun State notwithstanding that the party lacks grassroots.

The PDP’s Dr. Wole Oluyede finds the task tough after the defection of former Governor Ayodele Fayose to Oyebanji. However, the candidate relies on support from the people of Ekiti South as well as other PDP traditional areas for survival.

Other aspirants include those of the AAC, Accord, ADP, APP, Labour Party, NNPP, PRP, YPP and ZLP.

At voting time, all eyes will be fixed on Ekiti State. This election will not only be important in determining who governs the state but will also serve as a litmus test to determine the popularity of APC and opposition parties before the 2027 general election.