As Ekiti State moves toward the June 20, 2026, governorship election, the political atmosphere is becoming increasingly intense despite recent efforts by stakeholders to maintain peace.
A total of 1,059,360 registered voters are expected to cast their ballots across 2,445 polling units in 177 wards spread across the state’s 16 local government areas.
Although the election was initially projected as a three-horse race driven by power blocs, zoning debates, and party structures, recent developments suggest that the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has established a significant advantage, leaving opposition parties struggling to gain momentum.
The relative calm in the state’s political environment was recently disrupted by allegations and counter-allegations among political parties.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, accused the APC of using security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force, to intimidate opposition members through the deployment of Form K, a police remand warrant application used to obtain judicial approval for the detention of suspects pending investigation or trial.
The African Democratic Congress, ADC, raised similar concerns following the arrest and remand of its House of Assembly candidate for Ekiti State Constituency I, Ayodele Babatola.
The accusations came shortly after political actors gathered in Ado-Ekiti to sign a peace accord facilitated by the National Peace Committee led by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, signalling a commitment to peaceful campaigns and electoral conduct.
Major contenders, their chances: Biodun Oyebanji, APC
Governor Biodun Oyebanji, from Ikogosi-Ekiti in Ekiti Central Senatorial District, enters the race as the clear frontrunner.
He served as special assistant and later chief of staff to the state’s first civilian governor, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, between 1999 and 2003. He subsequently held key positions, including Commissioner for Integration and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Commissioner for Budget, Economic Planning and Service Delivery, and Secretary to the State Government under former Governor Kayode Fayemi.
He resigned as SSG in 2021 to pursue his governorship ambition and won the 2022 election.
His administration’s relationship with organised labour has also strengthened his position, with endorsements from labour groups viewed as a boost to his re-election bid.
Political observers believe his growing acceptance across party lines has significantly reduced internal resistance within the APC as he seeks to break Ekiti’s long-standing pattern of one-term governorships.
Oluwole Oluyede, PDP
The PDP candidate, Dr. Oluwole Oluyede, is a medical practitioner, entrepreneur, and politician from Ikere-Ekiti in Ekiti South Senatorial District.
