The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially declared Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election, securing him a second term in office.

INEC made the announcement after collating results from across the state’s 16 local government areas, where Oyebanji recorded a commanding lead over his closest rivals. The incumbent governor, who voted at his polling unit in Ikogosi, Ekiti West LGA, on Saturday, June 20, 2026, was widely expected to emerge victorious following strong performances in multiple LGAs, including a landslide in his home local government.

According to preliminary figures from various reports, Oyebanji polled significantly ahead, with APC securing victories in a sweeping majority of polling units. His main challengers included Wole Oluyede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Oluwadare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The election was generally described as peaceful with impressive voter turnout in many areas. Oyebanji had earlier expressed satisfaction with the process, urging patience with INEC officials amid technical glitches.

This victory reinforces the APC’s dominance in Ekiti State politics. Further details on final vote tallies and reactions are expected as INEC concludes formal proceedings at the collation centre in Ado-Ekiti.

FULL RESULTS OF EKITI GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION

1. EMURE LGA

ADC- 732
APC -14325
PDP 851

2. EFON LGA
   ADC- 201
   APC – 8742
   PDP -2051
3. IJERO LGA

ADC-2026
APC – 25506
PDP -2479

4. IKERE LGA

ADC- 245
APC- 11116
PDP- 9892

5. EKITI SOUTH WEST,ILAWE LGA

ADC- 1076
APC-14705
PDP-1800

6. IDO/OSI LGA

ADC- 561
APC -17901
PDP- 1449

7. EKITI WEST LGA

ADC- 674
APC -28258
PDP -3644

8. ADO EKITI LGA

ADC- 1054
APC- 38026
PDP- 3817

9. ILEJEMEJE LGA

ADC -579
APC -8984
PDP – 1243

10. ISE/ORUN LGA

ADC -365
APC -12908
PDP- 1627

11. OYE LGA

ADC- 998
APC- 18975
PDP- 2891

12. MOBA LGA
    ADC- 994
    APC- 20, 500
    PDP- 1360
13. AYEKIRE LGA
    ADC- 314
    APC- 17133
    PDP- 1563
14. IKOLE LGA
    ADC- 812
    APC- 26508
    PDP- 750
15. IREPODUN/IFELODUN LGA
    ADC- 511
    APC- 29278
    PDP- 2119
16. EKITI EAST LGA
    ADC- 1730
    APC- 26359
    PDP- 2795

FILE: Amaechi and Atiku | AFP

The African Democratic Congress has selected former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as its vice-presidential candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

The party described the pair as a “unity and rescue ticket” aimed at offering Nigerians an alternative platform ahead of the next general election.

The party announced Amaechi’s emergence in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, following consultations with party stakeholders, coalition partners and representatives from across the country.

According to the ADC, the decision was influenced by Amaechi’s performance in the party’s presidential primary, where he emerged runner-up, as well as his extensive record in public service spanning the legislative and executive arms of government.

Abdullahi said that the proposed Atiku-Amaechi partnership brings together two experienced political figures with the national reach and leadership credentials needed to tackle Nigeria’s economic and governance challenges.

A Federal High Court in Abuja ruled on Monday that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Accord Party, alongside three other political parties be deregister by the INEC.

The other political parties affected by the judgement were the Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

Swiftly reacting to the development, the National Chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark, urged members, supporters and candidates of the party not to lose hope following the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordering the deregistration of the party and four others.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, the former Senate President described the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu as “an arrow fired at the heart of Nigeria’s democracy,” and insisted that the decision would not stand.

According to him, the party remains confident that the ruling would be overturned through the judicial process.

He argued that the Court of Appeal had earlier granted a stay of proceedings in the matter and fixed October 27, 2027, for further hearing, raising questions over the validity of a judgment delivered despite what he described as a subsisting appellate order.

“The judgment cannot stand. It will be set aside because it does not pass the test of law and due process. Our democracy must be protected from actions that seek to undermine the constitutional rights of political parties and the choices available to Nigerians,” Mark said.

He urged party faithful across the country to remain calm and focused, assuring them that the development would not stop the ADC’s preparations for the next general elections.

In the suit filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, Justice Peter Lifu delivered the ruling directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the five parties for failing to meet constitutional performance thresholds.

The plaintiff had asked the court to determine whether INEC was constitutionally obligated to deregister political parties that failed to satisfy the requirements set out in Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The suit also relied on provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC regulations, which were cited as reinforcing the constitutional conditions for the registration and continued existence of political parties.

According to the National Forum of Former Legislators, the five parties had persistently failed to meet the constitutional benchmarks required to retain their registration.

The group argued that the parties neither secured the minimum electoral performance required by law nor won elective positions at the national, state or local government levels.

Under the constitutional provisions cited before the court, political parties are expected to secure at least 25 percent of votes cast in a state during a presidential election or win at least one elective seat at the federal, state or local government level to justify their continued registration.

The plaintiff told the court that the ADC, Accord Party and the three other affected parties performed poorly in the 2023 general election and subsequent by-elections, failing to win seats across critical levels of government.

It argued that their continued existence as recognised political parties was unlawful and undermined the integrity of the country’s electoral system.

Among the reliefs sought, the plaintiff asked the court to declare that INEC was duty-bound to deregister political parties that fail to meet the constitutional requirements and to compel the electoral commission to carry out the exercise before preparations for the 2027 elections advance further.

The group also sought an order restraining the five parties from participating in elections or engaging in political activities such as campaigns, rallies and primary elections, while asking the court to prohibit INEC from recognising or dealing with them unless they fully comply with constitutional provisions.

The group also sought an order restraining the five parties from participating in elections or engaging in political activities such as campaigns, rallies and primary elections, while asking the court to prohibit INEC from recognising or dealing with them unless they fully comply with constitutional provisions.

In his judgement, Justice Lifu granted the reliefs sought and ordered INEC to deregister the five political parties.