My victory, validation of Tinubu’s government — Oyebanji

Ekiti State Governor and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Biodun Oyebanji, on Sunday described his resounding victory in the just-concluded governorship election as a clear validation of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Tribune Newspaper reported.

Oyebanji declared that the unprecedented electoral outcome reflected the confidence of Ekiti people in both his government and the leadership of the president.

The INEC Chief Returning Officer and Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Professor Adenike Oladiji, while declaring the results around 3am on Sunday, said Oyebanji polled 319,224 votes to defeat the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Wole Oluyede, who came a distant second with 40,543 votes.

The candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dare Bejide, scored 12,872 votes to finish third in the election contested by 13 political parties.

The governor won his re-election by emerging victorious in all the 16 local government areas of the state, making him the first governor in the history of the state to win a consecutive election.

Delivering his victory speech in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, on Sunday, Oyebanji said the overwhelming mandate handed to him by the electorate was not only humbling but also a powerful endorsement of the developmental strides recorded by his administration over the last four years and the reforms being implemented at the federal level by President Tinubu.

The governor, who secured 319,224 votes and swept all 16 local government areas, all 177 wards and virtually all the 2,445 polling units across the state, described the outcome as unprecedented in the history of Ekiti State and Nigeria’s democratic experience.

“As you are aware, the electoral umpire, through its Returning Officer, has announced me as the winner of the 2026 governorship election. The people of Ekiti have spoken loudly and unequivocally. They have spoken not in muffled voices but in a thunderous roar. We have heard them clearly, and we accept the challenge that this historic mandate has placed on our shoulders,” he said.

According to Oyebanji, the election result represents more than a political victory, noting that it signifies a major shift in the political culture of the state and the triumph of peace, consensus-building and democratic maturity over violence and division.

“This is not just a watershed moment; it is a remarkable transformation in our political culture. Unlike previous electoral cycles marked by violence and tension, this election was conducted peacefully without a single incident of violence. Ekiti has demonstrated that politics can be conducted in an atmosphere of harmony, civility and mutual respect,” Oyebanji stated.

The governor attributed his re-election to the confidence reposed in his administration by the people, insisting that Ekiti voters were politically sophisticated enough to assess performance and make informed choices.

“By October, Ekiti will be 30 years old. This is the first time in our history that a sitting governor will be re-elected back-to-back. Ekiti people are politically enlightened. They know what works for them and they know when to change a government that is not performing. If they have chosen to re-employ us, it means we are doing something right,” he said.

Oyebanji explained that the victory was a product of the diligent implementation of his administration’s six-pillar development agenda, which, according to him, had positively impacted the lives of residents across the state.

According to him, “We entered into a contract with the people based on our six pillars of governance. Over the last four years, we have faithfully implemented programmes and projects across these thematic areas.

“The people have seen the difference, and they have renewed our mandate. They have decided that there is no reason to abandon a team that is delivering value.”

The governor, however, reserved special appreciation for President Tinubu, whom he credited for creating the enabling environment that made development possible at the sub-national level.

“What happened yesterday (Saturday) is a validation of performance by the people of Ekiti, but beyond that, it is also a vote of confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 

“Whatever we have achieved in Ekiti State, after God, Mr President deserves enormous credit because his reforms have made resources available for states to pursue development. Without those reforms, many of the achievements recorded in Ekiti would not have been possible,” he said.

Expressing confidence ahead of the 2027 presidential election, Oyebanji declared that the support demonstrated by Ekiti voters would be replicated for Tinubu when Nigerians return to the polls.

“This victory is a validation of the president’s administration and a vote of confidence in his leadership by the people of Ekiti. I have no doubt that an even better outcome will be recorded for him in Ekiti during the 2027 presidential election,” he stated.

In a conciliatory gesture, the governor extended what he described as “hands of fellowship” to his opponents in the election, including the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dare Bejide and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate , Dr Wole Oluyede, saying the election was over and governance must now take precedence.

Oyebanji disclosed that he had already initiated contact with the duo and would continue discussions with them in the interest of the state, saying he would be meeting them later on Sunday.

“I have called them personally, and discussions are ongoing. The election is over. What is important now is how we move Ekiti State forward together. We are all stakeholders in the progress of our dear state,” he said.

Oyebanji also commended INEC, security agencies, election observers, traditional rulers, religious leaders, labour unions, artisans, market women, persons living with disabilities and party supporters for their contributions to the success of the election.

The governor particularly hailed the unity displayed by leaders of the APC, noting that for the first time in the state’s history, all former governors rallied behind a single candidate and campaigned together throughout the election period.

“With this renewed mandate, the best is yet to come. We will rededicate ourselves to the shared prosperity agenda, accelerate ongoing projects, work harder and smarter, and continue to serve the people with courage, compassion and commitment until poverty and inequality become things of the past in our state,” he pledged.