Voters in Ekiti State will head to the polls on Saturday, June 20, 2026, to elect a new governor in an off-cycle governorship election, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. The election comes after a rigorous voter registration and card collection process, with 97.1 percent of registered voters having successfully collected their Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, ahead of the poll. Out of a total of 1,059,360 registered voters, 1,028,929 have obtained their PVCs, leaving 30,431 unclaimed. This high turnout of card collection reflects strong voter preparedness and engagement across the state.
The race features 14 candidates from various political parties, each vying for the mandate of the people. Leading the contest is incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who seeks a second four-year term in office. Challenging him is Oluwole Oluyede of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Oluwadare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress, ADC. Other candidates include Opeyemi Falegan from Accord, Oyebanji Olajuyin from the Labour Party, Blessing Abegunde from the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, Bidemi Awogbemi from the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Ayodeji Ojo from the Action Democratic Party, ADP, Samuel Akande from the African Action Congress, AAC, Olaniyi Ayodele from the People’s Redemption Party, PRP, Victor Adetunji from the Zenith Labour Party, ZLP, and Olu Omotoso from the Action Alliance.
Also in the race are Joseph Anifowose from the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, and Ayodele Osinkolu from the Young Progressive Party. While multiple parties are contesting, political analysts and observers expect the election to be a tight race between Governor Oyebanji and ADC’s Oluwadare Bejide. The contest is seen as a test of public confidence in the current administration and a reflection of voter sentiment on governance, security, and economic development in the state.
INEC has assured the public of a free, fair, and transparent electoral process, with adequate security and logistical arrangements in place. Polling units across the 16 Local Government Areas of Ekiti State will open at 8:00 a.m. and close at 2:00 p.m. The commission has also deployed observers and media personnel to monitor the voting and counting processes. As the nation watches, Ekiti residents are expected to exercise their civic duty in determining the state’s leadership for the next four years. The outcome of this election will shape the political landscape of the South-West and influence future electoral dynamics in Nigeria.
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