Oyebanji Clears Own Polling Unit, Defeats ADC’s Bejide In His Polling Unit

June 20 () — Incumbent Governor of Ekiti State and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Biodun Oyebanji, has recorded early victories in Saturday’s governorship election, winning overwhelmingly at his own polling unit and defeating Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), at the opposition candidate’s polling unit.

Results announced at Polling Unit 003, Ward 06, Okelele, Ikogosi-Ekiti, where Governor Oyebanji cast his vote earlier on Saturday, showed a landslide victory for the APC candidate.

According to the official result, the APC secured 326 votes, while the ADC managed just two votes. The Action Democratic Party (ADP) and African Action Congress (AAC) recorded one vote each, while three ballots were declared void.

Oyebanji, who is seeking re-election for a second term, had arrived at the polling unit alongside his wife, Olayemi Oyebanji, at about 11:38 a.m. to cast his ballot.

Speaking with journalists after voting, the governor expressed confidence in victory, declaring that the APC was on course to exceed its ambitious target of 500,000 votes across the state. He also commended the turnout of voters and urged residents to remain patient with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) amid reports of technical glitches experienced in some polling centres, expressing confidence that no eligible voter would be disenfranchised.

In another major development, early results showed the APC candidate also defeating ADC governorship candidate, Dare Bejide, at the opposition candidate’s own polling unit in Ilawe-Ekiti.

Results declared at Unit 4, Ward 2, Ekiti Southwest Local Government Area, where Bejide voted, showed the APC polling 140 votes against the ADC’s 37 votes. The AAC recorded three votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured two votes.

Meanwhile, early results from other polling units across the state continued to show the APC maintaining strong momentum.

At Unit 7, Ward 1, Ilupe Community, the APC secured 70 votes, comfortably ahead of the ADC, which recorded 15 votes.

Similarly, at Unit 12, Ward 1, Owaosun/Tedio, the APC polled 57 votes while the ADC recorded 10 votes. The PDP secured four votes, while the ADP recorded one vote.

At Unit 1, Ward 1, inside St Angela’s Catholic School, the APC recorded 88 votes, while the PDP polled 14 votes. The ADC secured four votes, while nine ballots were declared void.

As voting and collation continue across the state, early results indicate a strong showing for Governor Oyebanji and the APC, as attention shifts to official collation by INEC ahead of the declaration of final results of the governorship election.