By, Seyi Fasanmi, Ekiti

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and incumbent Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, winner of the Ekiti State governorship election after he secured a sweeping victory across all 16 local government areas of the state.

The Returning Officer for the election and Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Professor Adenike Oladiji, announced the results in the early hours of Sunday, confirming Oyebanji’s dominance over his closest rivals, Dr. Wole Oluyede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Results collated from the 16 local government areas showed that Oyebanji polled a total of 319,224 votes, while Oluyede garnered 40,543 votes and Bejide secured 12,872 votes.

Oyebanji defeated Oluyede by a margin of 278,681 votes and Bejide by 306,352 votes, underlining the scale of his victory. He, thus, won a re-election for a second term in Ekiti State.

The APC candidate recorded victories in all the councils, underscoring his overwhelming statewide acceptance and the strength of the ruling party’s grassroots structure.

In Ijero Local Government Area, Oyebanji polled 25,506 votes to defeat Oluyede, who scored 2,479 votes, and Bejide, who secured 2,026 votes.

At Ikere Local Government Area, the governor garnered 11,116 votes to floor Oluyede’s 9,892 votes, while Bejide trailed with 245 votes. The result represented the PDP’s strongest showing in the election.

In Ado-Ekiti Local Government Area, the state capital, Oyebanji secured 38,026 votes to defeat Bejide, who polled 3,817 votes, and Oluyede, who garnered 1,054 votes.

The APC candidate also dominated in Aiyekire/Gbonyin Local Government Area with 17,133 votes, leaving Oluyede and Bejide behind with 1,563 and 314 votes respectively.

In Efon Local Government Area, Oyebanji polled 8,742 votes, comfortably ahead of Oluyede’s 2,051 votes and Bejide’s 205 votes.

The governor continued his winning streak in Ekiti East, where he secured 26,359 votes to defeat Oluyede, who scored 2,795 votes, while Bejide polled 1,730 votes.

In Ekiti West, Oyebanji obtained 28,258 votes, leaving Oluyede with 3,644 votes and Bejide with 674 votes.

At Emure Local Government Area, the APC candidate garnered 14,325 votes to beat Oluyede’s 851 votes and Bejide’s 732 votes.

A major talking point of the election emerged in Ekiti South-West Local Government Area, the home council of ADC candidate Dare Bejide. Oyebanji recorded a landslide 14,705 votes to defeat Oluyede, who scored 1,800 votes, while Bejide managed 1,076 votes in his own local government.

In Ido-Osi Local Government Area, Oyebanji polled 17,901 votes to overcome Oluyede’s 1,449 votes and Bejide’s 561 votes.

The APC standard-bearer also cruised to victory in Ikole Local Government Area with 26,508 votes, defeating Oluyede, who secured 812 votes, and Bejide, who polled 750 votes.

At Ilejemeje Local Government Area, Oyebanji secured 8,984 votes, while Oluyede and Bejide garnered 1,243 and 579 votes respectively.

Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area equally fell to the APC candidate, who polled 29,278 votes against Oluyede’s 2,119 votes and Bejide’s 511 votes.

In Ise/Orun Local Government Area, Oyebanji recorded 12,908 votes to defeat Oluyede, who polled 1,627 votes, and Bejide, who secured 365 votes.

The governor maintained his dominance in Moba Local Government Area with 20,500 votes, while Oluyede and Bejide garnered 1,572 and 994 votes respectively.

In Oye Local Government Area, Oyebanji rounded off his statewide sweep with 18,975 votes, defeating Oluyede, who polled 2,891 votes, and Bejide, who secured 998 votes