Ekiti 2026: APC, PDP, ADC jostle for one million votes

As Ekiti State heads for its June 20 governorship election, the contest is shaping up as a critical test of the strength of incumbency, the effectiveness of opposition politics and the mood of an electorate long regarded as one of the most politically conscious in the country, ABIODUN NEJO writes

With less than two weeks to the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti State, the political atmosphere across the Fountain of Knowledge is charged with anticipation as the ruling All Progressives Congress, the Peoples Democratic Party and the African Democratic Congress intensify campaigns in what is shaping up as a defining contest for the state’s political future.

Sunday PidomNigeria gathered that over one million registered voters are expected to determine the outcome of an election that presents a battle of competing narratives and could influence not only the future of Ekiti State, but also political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Findings also show that although 15 political parties are participating in the election, the contest has largely narrowed to a three-way battle involving incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the APC, Dr Wole Oluyede of the PDP and Dare Bejide of the ADC. The trio have dominated the campaign landscape, taking their messages to voters across the state’s 177 wards and 16 local government areas.

At stake is not only the governorship seat but also the direction Ekiti will take over the next four years.

Peaceful atmosphere raises confidence

One of the defining features of the election season has been the relatively peaceful conduct of campaigns. Political parties and candidates signed a Peace Accord on May 21 under the auspices of the National Peace Committee, implemented by the Kukah Centre and witnessed by the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies and civil society organisations.

The Chairman of the National Peace Committee, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar (retd), represented by former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Martin Agwai (retd), described the accord as a collective commitment to peaceful, credible and violence-free elections.

The Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, echoed the need for peace, stressing that elections should remain a contest of ideas rather than conflict, while assuring voters of adequate security arrangements before, during and after the poll.

For INEC, the election presents another opportunity to demonstrate its readiness. The electoral body says all preparations are almost completed, with only the distribution of sensitive materials and the conduct of the election remaining.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed that 1,059,360 registered voters are eligible to participate in the election, while the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ekiti State, Dr Bunmi Omoseyindemi, has repeatedly assured stakeholders of a transparent, credible and seamless process.

APC seeks continuity and historic victory

For the APC, the election is both a referendum on Oyebanji’s first term and an opportunity to make political history.

The ruling party argues that the governor’s achievements in infrastructure, health, education, technology and security have earned him widespread acceptance across the state.

According to the Co-Director of Publicity and Media of the Biodun Oyebanji Campaign Organisation, Segun Dipe, the APC remains the strongest political force in all 177 wards and 16 local government areas.

“We are the strongest party in all the 177 wards and 16 local governments in Ekiti State. Our party has the strongest structure and visible things on ground to show, so we are the party to beat. Others can talk about what they can do, but we are talking about what is seen,” he said.

Beyond retaining power, the party is pursuing a larger ambition — securing what it describes as an unprecedented electoral mandate.

The APC is targeting more than 500,000 votes, a figure party leaders believe would underline Oyebanji’s popularity and further cement the party’s dominance in the state.

Dipe, who is the APC State Publicity Secretary, said, “I can assure you that we are not just chasing victory, we are chasing history and that is why we have a target of over 500,000 votes which we are working to meet.

“We are not seeing ourselves as competing, because we know that, just like they said, our candidate will be coronated come June 20, we are chasing history. We want to win by landslide — a situation whereby the losers will be too weak to go to court to challenge the outcome.”

The governor himself has anchored his re-election bid on continuity, arguing that the gains recorded under his Shared Prosperity Agenda require another term for consolidation.

At every political campaign, Oyebanji has maintained that no part of Ekiti has been left out of development efforts since 2022, while continuity in governance remains essential for sustained growth and improved welfare for citizens.

For supporters of the incumbent, the election is less about changing direction and more about deepening ongoing reforms.

PDP banks on voter dissatisfaction

However, the PDP sees the election differently, saying it offers Ekiti voters an opportunity to reject what it describes as an underperforming administration and embrace a fresh development agenda under its candidate, Oluyede.

The party argues that beneath the APC’s confidence lies widespread public dissatisfaction with governance and unmet expectations.

Director of Media, Publicity and Communications for the Wole Oluyede Campaign Council, Sanya Atofarati, argues that Ekiti remains naturally inclined towards the PDP and that the enthusiasm witnessed during campaign tours across the state reflects growing support for the party’s candidate.

“Ekiti State is predominantly a PDP state. You will find PDP in every local government, ward, unit, village and town you visit in Ekiti State. We are strong structurally, very strong to face and win the election,” he said.

Atofarati, who spoke with Sunday PidomNigeria, said central to Oluyede’s campaign is his 10-point development agenda, tagged, “My Contract with Ekiti.”

According to him, the manifesto prioritises mechanised agriculture, industrial development, job creation, technical education, digital literacy, infrastructure renewal and healthcare reforms.

The campaign spokesperson, who said that the PDP had many factors working in its favour to win the June 20 election, added that the people’s “organic love for Oluyede,” demonstrated during campaigns across the 16 local government areas, remained a major strength of the party.

“They will demonstrate this with their votes on June 20. The people are not coerced; the love is genuine because they are tired of the Oyebanji government and they believe that Oluyede is the best candidate for them,” he added.

At different campaign activities, Oluyede has repeatedly argued that economic growth should be driven by production and investment rather than excessive taxation, while proposing extensive investments in roads, electricity and water infrastructure, areas he identifies as major obstacles to development.

The PDP candidate believes that strengthening agriculture and industrialisation will stimulate economic activity while creating jobs for young people.

His supporters contend that Ekiti voters are ready for change and will use the election to express their dissatisfaction with the status quo.

ADC positions itself as the alternative

While much attention has focused on the APC-PDP rivalry, the ADC insists that it represents the real alternative in the race.

The party’s candidate, Bejide, is campaigning on a platform centred on security, youth employment, agriculture and industrialisation.

ADC leaders argue that many voters have become disillusioned with the established political parties and are searching for a fresh option capable of addressing long-standing challenges.

Bejide’s campaign spokesperson, Gboyega Aribisogan, maintains that the ADC’s strength lies in growing public frustration over governance and what many citizens perceive as limited benefits from government programmes.

Bejide’s campaign has focused heavily on insecurity, unemployment and economic opportunities. He has promised to deploy technology-driven solutions to combat banditry and kidnapping while strengthening intelligence gathering and community-based security structures.

The ADC candidate also proposes large-scale youth employment initiatives, mechanised farming, skill acquisition centres and the establishment of cottage industries across local government areas.

“Our strength lies with the people of Ekiti State who have demonstrated that they have not enjoyed the dividends of democracy under the current administration even though the government of the day has received more revenue than any governor in the history of this state.

“The people have made us understand that in spite of all the noise, there are no tangible achievements of this administration. Therefore, the people have made us understand that an alternative is the way out,” Aribisogan said.

For ADC supporters, the election is an opportunity to break the dominance of the two traditional parties and introduce a different model of governance.

What may determine the outcome?

As election day approaches, Sunday PidomNigeria notes that several factors are likely to shape the outcome.

The first is incumbency. Governor Oyebanji enjoys the advantages that come with being the sitting governor, including visibility, government achievements and an established political structure.

The second is voter perception of performance. While the APC cites achievements across multiple sectors, both the PDP and ADC are building their campaigns around claims that many residents are yet to feel the full impact of government programmes.

Another key factor is party organisation. Elections in Ekiti have historically been influenced by grassroots mobilisation, and the ability of parties to convert campaign enthusiasm into votes on election day will be crucial.

Security and the credibility of the electoral process will also play major roles. The assurances given by INEC, security agencies and election observers have raised confidence, but stakeholders will be watching closely to ensure that the promises translate into action at the polling units.