June 22, 2026 – Abuja, Nigeria
The All Progressives Congress (APC) recorded a historic landslide victory in Saturday's elections, winning the Ekiti State governorship election and five out of six senatorial and legislative by-elections held across the country.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the APC as the winner of the Ekiti governorship election held on June 20, 2026. Oyebanji polled a total of 319,224 votes, defeating his closest rival from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 40,543 votes, and the ADC candidate who managed 12,872 votes.
What makes Oyebanji's victory particularly remarkable is the margin. The APC candidate won in all 16 local government areas of the state. The Returning Officer for the Ekiti governorship election, Professor Adenike Oladiji, formally declared Oyebanji the winner on Sunday in Ado-Ekiti.
"Oyebanji Abiodun Abayomi, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and stands re-elected," Professor Oladiji declared.
Governor Oyebanji, in his acceptance speech, expressed gratitude to the people of Ekiti State for what he described as an overwhelming endorsement of his administration. He dedicated the victory to the people of the state and promised to continue his development agenda in his second term.
The APC's dominance extended beyond Ekiti. The party also clinched five of the six by-elections held in Ondo, Enugu, Nasarawa, Kano, Kebbi, and Rivers states. The only exception was the Rivers South-East Senatorial District by-election, which was won by the PDP.
In Ondo State, the APC candidate emerged victorious in the senatorial by-election to succeed Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, who was appointed Nigeria's Permanent Representative to the United Nations. The party also won the Nasarawa North Senatorial by-election, the Enugu North Senatorial District by-election, and the House of Representatives seats in Kano and Kebbi states.
The by-elections were conducted alongside the Ekiti governorship election, making Saturday one of the busiest electoral days in Nigeria's calendar this year.
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Governor Biodun Oyebanji on his "resounding victory," describing the renewed mandate as "a vote of confidence in continuity, stability, and people-centred governance".
In a statement issued by the Presidency, Tinubu praised the people of Ekiti State for their peaceful conduct during the election and commended INEC for the successful conduct of the polls. The President also congratulated the winners of the by-elections and called on all political actors to continue to prioritise the welfare of Nigerians.
Despite the APC's sweeping victory, opposition parties have raised concerns about the conduct of the elections. The PDP and other opposition parties have alleged widespread vote-buying, ballot irregularities, and administrative lapses by INEC.
In a statement issued on Sunday, opposition parties faulted the conduct of Saturday's governorship election and the by-elections, describing the process as marred by "widespread vote-buying, ballot irregularities and administrative lapses."
The Nigeria Police Force has urged residents and observers to present concrete evidence rather than relying solely on photographs. INEC has also defended the conduct of the elections, stating that the process was transparent and credible.
The APC's sweeping victory in Ekiti and the by-elections is a significant political development ahead of the 2027 general elections. The party's ability to win in all 16 LGAs in Ekiti and secure five out of six by-elections demonstrates its organisational strength and grassroots appeal. However, the allegations of vote-buying and irregularities raised by opposition parties could undermine public confidence in the electoral process if not properly investigated. The results also signal the political mood of the nation as the 2027 elections draw closer.
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