The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji winner of Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State.
INEC’s Chief Returning Officer and Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) Professor Adenike Oladiji made the final declaration at about 3am on Sunday morning.
Governor Oyebanji polled a total of 319,224 votes to defeat his two closest challengers, Dr Wole Oluyede of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Ambassador Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The PDP candidate came at a distant second with 40,543 votes, while the ADC candidate finished third with 12,872 votes.
Some of the APC Governors at the Situation Room who came to solidarise with Oyebanji before the victory include : Chairman, Progressives Governors Forum/ Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma; Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Chairman, APC National Campaign Council/ Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani.
Others are Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum; Edo Governor. Senator Monday Okpebholo; Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo; Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori; and Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbus Kefas.
Other dignitaries at the Situation room are: the Senate Leader, who is also the Chairman Ekiti APC Governorship Election Campaign Council, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele; first Civilian Governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, National Assembly members and some members of the state executive council.