Fourteen political parties are participating in the Ekiti State governorship election taking place today, as voters across the state’s 16 local government areas decide who will lead the state for the next four years.
The 2026 Ekiti governorship election is expected to draw more than one million registered voters, who will determine whether Governor Biodun Oyebanji secures a second term or a new candidate emerges as governor.
With 1.02 million registered voters spread across 2,445 polling units, Oyebanji is facing challengers from 13 other political parties in the contest ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The incumbent is seeking re-election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), with his deputy, Monisade Afuye, retained as running mate.
Oyebanji had won the 2022 governorship election with 187,057 votes, defeating Segun Oni of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Bisi Kolawole of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Among the contenders is the African Democratic Congress candidate, Ambassador Dare Bejide, a former Secretary to the State Government and ex-Nigerian Ambassador to Canada, who is positioning himself as a consensus alternative to the APC and PDP.
The PDP candidate, Dr Wole Oluyede from Ikere-Ekiti in Ekiti South Senatorial District, is also in the race, aiming to restore the party’s influence in the state.
Joseph Anifowose of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has stepped down from the race and endorsed Oyebanji, citing his performance in infrastructure and social services.
Other candidates on the ballot include Akande Oluwasegun Samuel (AAC), Opeyemi Falegan (Accord), Ayodeji Ojo (ADP), Bidemi Olaiya Awogbemi (APP), Oyebanji Ikusayedegbe Olajuyin (Labour Party), Abegunde Ayobami Blessing (NNPP), Olaniyi Olanrewaju Ayodele (PRP), Owoola Daramola (YPP), and Victor Damilola Adetunji (ZLP).
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has begun distributing sensitive and non-sensitive election materials from its registration area centres to polling units across wards ahead of the election.
INEC confirmed that 1,059,360 voters are eligible to participate in the election across 2,445 polling units in 177 wards, with voting scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m.
Authorities have also imposed a statewide restriction on vehicular movement from midnight to 6:00 p.m. to ensure a smooth electoral process.
INEC further assured voters of the readiness of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for accreditation during the exercise.
Security agencies have deployed personnel across the state, especially in border communities and strategic locations, to maintain order throughout the election.
Civil society organisations monitoring the poll have urged residents to participate peacefully and protect the integrity of the democratic process.
Separate from the governorship election, four senatorial by-elections in Enugu, Rivers, Ondo, and Nasarawa, as well as one House of Representatives and one State Assembly bye-election in Kano and Kebbi, are also scheduled to hold today.