\n\nThe All Progressives Congress (APC) has recorded a major electoral victory after winning the Ekiti State governorship election and five of the six bye-elections conducted across Ondo, Enugu, Nasarawa, Kano, Kebbi and Rivers states.
The party’s only setback came in Rivers State, where the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured victory in the bye-election, preventing the APC from achieving a clean sweep of all the contests held simultaneously.
In Ekiti State, incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the APC secured a landslide victory, defeating his closest challengers by a wide margin.
Oyebanji polled 319,224 votes to defeat the PDP candidate, Dr Wole Oluyede, who scored 40,543 votes, while the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Ambassador Dare Bejide, came third with 12,872 votes.
Following the announcement of the result, Oyebanji described the outcome as a historic moment for Ekiti politics, promising to continue working harder to deliver on his administration’s promises to residents of the state.
The governor said the election represented a major shift in the state’s political culture, particularly because it was conducted without reported cases of violence, unlike previous electoral cycles.
Addressing journalists in Ado Ekiti, Oyebanji thanked voters for their confidence and said the result reflected the people’s support for his administration’s agenda.
He said: “You have spoken loudly and unequivocally, and I have heard you clearly. You have spoken, not in muffled voices, but in a thunderous yea.”
The governor added that the victory represented a renewed commitment to unity, peace and development in Ekiti State, noting that his administration would continue to prioritise the welfare of residents.
Beyond Ekiti, APC candidates emerged victorious in five of the six bye-elections held across the country. The party secured wins in Ondo, Enugu, Nasarawa, Kano and Kebbi states, further strengthening its political presence ahead of future elections.
However, the PDP maintained its hold in Rivers State after its candidate won the bye-election, giving the opposition party a significant victory despite APC’s overall dominance in the polls.
The results have been described by political observers as a strong showing for the ruling party, which continues to expand its influence across several states. The outcome also highlights the ongoing competition between APC and PDP as both parties position themselves ahead of future electoral battles.
With the Ekiti victory and five bye-election wins, the APC secured six victories out of seven major contests, while the PDP’s win in Rivers provided a reminder that opposition parties remain competitive in key political battlegrounds.
