The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the poll in the early hours of Sunday after the collation of results from all 16 local government areas of the state.
Announcing the result at the State Collation Centre in Ado-Ekiti, the Returning Officer, Prof. Adenike Oladiji, said Oyebanji satisfied the constitutional requirements and was duly returned elected.
According to the final figures released by INEC, Oyebanji polled 319,224 votes to defeat his closest rival, Olumayokun Oluyede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 40,533 votes. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Dare Bejide, secured 12,872 votes.
The commission disclosed that 988,251 voters were registered for the election, while 384,940 were accredited. A total of 382,109 votes were cast, with 375,777 recognised as valid votes.
The APC candidate dominated the election across the state, winning in all 16 local government areas, including Efon Local Government Area, the home council of the PDP candidate.
In Efon LGA, Oyebanji polled 8,742 votes against Oluyede’s 2,051 votes, while the ADC candidate secured 201 votes.
Other strong performances for the governor came from Ado Local Government Area, where he recorded 38,026 votes, and Irepodun/Ifelodun LGA, where he polled 29,278 votes.
The outcome cements the APC’s hold on Ekiti State and gives Oyebanji a fresh mandate to continue his administration for another four-year term.
The election was largely decided by the governor’s overwhelming lead across the state, leaving his opponents trailing by wide margins in virtually every local government area. Franktalknow.
