Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has described his re-election for a second term as a humbling vote of confidence from the people of the state, pledging to deepen development and ensure that the dividends of democracy reach every household.
In a statement issued shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him winner of Saturday’s governorship election, the governor said the outcome reflected the collective desire of Ekiti people for continuity, stability and sustained development.
According to Oyebanji, the overwhelming support he received across the state demonstrated the confidence of the electorate in his administration.
“The voice of the people has reverberated from every part of our great state, and the message is clear,” he said.
“I am deeply humbled by the scale of this victory. Securing a clean sweep across all 16 local government areas and 85 per cent of the popular vote is a humbling vote of confidence from Ekiti Kete.
“From our urban centres to our most remote communities, you have spoken with one thunderous voice for continuous development, stability and a future of endless opportunities. This mandate means that our work must touch every household even deeper.
“There are no winners or losers today; there is only one united Ekiti determined to continue its journey of upward mobility.
“I pledge to honour this immense trust by continuing to lead with humility, dedication and fairness. Thank you, Ekiti Kete, for making history with us,” the governor stated.
INEC’s Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Adenike Oladiji, who is also the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, announced the results at about 3:13 a.m. on Sunday.
She declared Oyebanji the winner after polling 319,224 votes in the election conducted across the state’s 16 local government areas.
According to the results announced by the commission, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Oluwole Oluyede, garnered 40,543 votes, while Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) secured 12,872 votes.
Oladiji further disclosed that 384,940 voters were accredited for the exercise, with 375,777 valid votes recorded. She said 6,332 votes were rejected, bringing the total number of votes cast to 382,109.
The declaration concluded the keenly contested governorship election, which was conducted in a generally peaceful atmosphere across the state, despite reports of technical challenges and allegations of irregularities in some polling units.
By Chief Edet Isong, Newsday