2026 Ekiti Governorship Race Heats Up: Full List Of Candidates And Parties Revealed

Residents of Ekiti State are heading to the polls today, June 20, 2026, to elect their next governor in an off-cycle governorship election organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The election is taking place across the state’s 16 local government areas, with more than 1.02 million registered voters expected to cast their ballots at 2,445 polling units.

At the centre of the contest is incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who is seeking a second term in office. A victory today would make him the first governor in Ekiti State’s history to secure two consecutive terms through re-election.

Oyebanji enters the race as the frontrunner, having won the 2022 governorship election with 187,057 votes. The APC also maintains a strong political grip on the state, controlling all nine National Assembly seats, all 26 seats in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, the 16 local government councils, and 22 Local Council Development Areas.

Despite the party’s dominance, some discontent remains within APC ranks following its primaries, where several serving lawmakers failed to secure return tickets.

ADC Fields Dare Bejide

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is presenting former Secretary to the State Government and former Nigerian Ambassador to Canada, Dare Bejide, as its candidate.

Bejide’s campaign has attracted support from prominent opposition figures, including former Deputy Governor Kolapo Olusola-Eleka, former Commissioner for Information Akin Omole, and businessman Funsho Ayeni.

PDP Banks on Wole Oluyede

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is represented by Dr. Wole Oluyede, a native of Ikere-Ekiti in the Ekiti South Senatorial District.

His candidacy is expected to resonate strongly in the region, as Ekiti South has yet to produce a governor since the state was created. Ikere-Ekiti is also one of the state’s largest voting blocs, giving his campaign added significance.

Other Candidates in the Race

Also contesting the election are 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).

Meanwhile, Joseph Anifowose of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has withdrawn from the race and endorsed Governor Oyebanji, citing the administration’s achievements in infrastructure development and social welfare programmes.