Ekiti 2026: Oyebanji Faces 13 Rivals for Governor's Seat

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Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) could make history if he wins the governorship election in Ekiti State on Saturday.

No sitting governor has won re-election since Adeniyi Adebayo became the first governor in 1999. Adebayo only served one term.

Governors Ayo Fayose and Kayode Fayemi served two non-consecutive terms, while Segun Oni left office in 2010 after the courts annulled his 2007 election.

Mr Oyebanji feels positive because this election is different from previous ones, which had strong challengers and intense campaigns. This time, most candidates do not seem to pose a threat to the incumbent.

Political analysts say the current race shows an imbalance. This is not about the candidates' abilities but rather their political support and backgrounds.

Many residents believe Mr Oyebanji is heading for victory even before voting starts, thanks to a weak opposition and shifts that have seen key political figures rally around the APC.

There are 13 candidates challenging Mr Oyebanji.

The main opponents are Wole Oluyede, a doctor and businessman from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Oluwadare Bejide, a diplomat from the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Other candidates include Olajuyin Oyebanji from the Labour Party, Blessing Abegunde from NNPP, Samuel Oluwasegun from AAC, Ojo Ayodeji from ADP, Opeyemi Felegan from Accord, Olanrewaju Anifowose from APM, Olaita Awogbemi from APP, Praise Ayodele from PRP, Ayodele Osinkolu from YPP, and Damilola Adetunji from ZLP.

Despite the number of candidates, only the PDP and ADC seem ready to challenge effectively.

Still, APC officials see this election as a sure win for Mr Oyebanji.

Who’s Who in the Race

Biodun Oyebanji (APC)

Mr Oyebanji is from Ikogosi in Ekiti West Local Government Area.

Before running for governor in 2022, he was the state secretary and chief of staff.

In the 2022 election, he won against former Governor Olusegun Oni of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Bisi Kolawole of the PDP, receiving 187,057 votes. Oni got 82,211 votes, while Kolawole had 67,457.

Views on his performance vary. His administration claims success in road construction, completing the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport, supporting over 5,000 youths in farming, improving hospitals, and boosting education and security.

Critics disagree, warning that re-electing him could harm the state. Still, beyond incumbency and his record, other factors could help him stay in power.

All four former governors of Ekiti, Adeniyi Adebayo, Olusegun Oni, Ayo Fayose, and Kayode Fayemi, are backing Mr Oyebanji.

In November, Adebayo promised to lead the campaign for Oyebanji's second term and President Bola Tinubu, emphasizing commitment to Ekiti's progress.

He praised Oyebanji’s achievements and urged citizens to vote for him.

With Oni now part of the APC, the opposition has lost a significant player. Oni rejoined the party in January and supports Oyebanji's re-election from his home in Ifaki. Oni was governor from 2007 to 2010 as a PDP member.

Fayose has also endorsed the governor despite being a PDP leader. He claims Oyebanji has delivered real development and deserves another term.

Fayemi’s support comes naturally, as he has publicly backed Oyebanji’s second term, viewing it as his greatest achievement.

APC supporters believe that with the backing of these former governors, no opposition threat can change the current balance of power.

APC spokesperson Segun Dipe stated, “In 2026, alignment replaces confrontation; the script has flipped. APC now controls the Presidency, Ekiti State Government, and all 16 LGAs.

There is no ‘Abuja vs Ado-Ekiti’ friction. Federal presence means security support for Governor Oyebanji’s border forum with Kogi, Kwara, and Ondo, plus more road funding and policy alignment.”

He added that APC’s loss to PDP in 2014 taught them valuable lessons about grassroots communication.

“Trust us, the projects will make sense later. PDP weaponised ‘stomach infrastructure’ in the final 72 hours. Rice, cash, and daily handouts beat long-term plans at the polling unit. Victimhood was turned into protest votes.”

Dipe believes Oyebanji’s performance will help him win the election.

Wole Oluyede (PDP)

Wole Oluyede is leading the opposition for Saturday's election. Recently, it was unclear if PDP would have a candidate. However, a Federal High Court decision allowed his name on the ballot.

Some in the party see Oluyede’s late entry as a setback. Critics think the PDP can’t challenge the APC seriously. However, Oluyede and his campaign are working hard to gather votes.

Crowds at his rallies suggest the APC should take him seriously.

But Dipe is not worried. He said, “2026 is not 2014, when the PDP, relying on the federal might and Ayo Fayose’s wisdom, beat the APC.”

Dipe noted that the PDP has no federal support now and the public has forgotten Fayose’s tactics.

He continued, “PDP is out of power at the centre and fragmented at the state level, with no incumbent, no federal backing, and no project record to campaign on.”

PDP spokesperson Idowu Adelusi responded, saying the party can still win like they did in 2003 and 2014.

He believes the turnout at Oluyede's rallies shows that people want change.

Oluyede is the brother of Chief of Defence Staff Olufemi Oluyede. He is from Ikere-Ekiti, an important voting area, but grew up in Ado-Ekiti.

He is experienced, having previously run for governor in 2018 with the ADC. He is backed by the “Ekiti South Agenda” group, which pushes for power rotation to the south in 2026.

However, APC lawmakers from the region say the group should support the incumbent for continuity.

Resident David Bamidele said the PDP's renewed energy means Saturday could be competitive.

But he also thinks the party faces issues from its leaders. “A miracle is what the PDP needs to win this election,” he said.

Oluwadare Bejide (ADC)

Oluwadare Bejide is a former secretary to the Ekiti State Government and Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Canada. He is a lawyer from Ilawe-Ekiti.

He previously ran for governor in 2018 under the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) after leaving the PDP due to disagreements.

Bejide believes Ekiti needs better management and a change. His campaign director, Alaba Agboola, told PREMIUM TIMES that the people want to vote out Mr Oyebanji and that the ADC is ready to lead.

Agboola said without vote buying and electoral fraud, the ADC could surprise on Saturday.

However, analysts are skeptical about how the ADC will compete. Both the ADC and PDP candidates are from the same southern district, which might split the votes against the stronger support for the incumbent from the north and central regions.

A recent court ruling to deregister the ADC initially dampened spirits, but the next day’s ruling by the Court of Appeal stopped that.

Opeyemi Falegan (Accord)

After the appellate court canceled the deregistration of his party, Mr Falegan expressed his determination to win.

“I will be the first civilian governor from Ado-Ekiti in Ekiti State. Mark my words,” he said.

The former British soldier focuses on grassroots support and youth empowerment.

Though he lacks extensive political experience, Falegan is known for his charity work through the ODI Foundation, which helps widows and the underprivileged. He was previously married to actress Nkechi Blessing.

Many in Ekiti remember him for his charitable efforts, which have made him popular in his area.

Teacher Frank Adebowale said while Falegan is well-liked, he lacks the political strength to challenge the status quo.

Praise Ayodele (PRP)

Praise Ayodele is a youth mobilizer and former student leader. His campaign targets young people and students, promising improvements in education.

Ayodele studied Food Science and Technology at the Federal Polytechnic Offa, where he was the Student Union Government president. He is now the MD/CEO of WITPARK Homes Ltd.

He claims to have built boreholes and other facilities during his time as a student leader and promises to do even more as governor.