The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Biodun Oyebanji, the winner of the Ekiti State Governorship election.
Oyrbanji, who is the immediate past Secretary to the State Government, polled 187,057 votes to defeat Segun Oni of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) who came second with 82,211 votes.
The returning officer for the election the vice-chancellor, of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale made the announcement.
Prof. Adebowale said, “Oyebanji, having scored the highest votes, is hereby declared the winner and hereby returned elected as the governor-elect of Ekiti State.”
The PDP candidate, Bisi Kolawole came third with 67,457 votes while the other 13 contestants followed.
Residents of major towns and villages were agog as they trooped out to celebrate the victory of the emergence of the APC candidate in the dead of the night.
At the Government House in the Oke Ayoba area of the town, other APC governors, led by the state governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, monitored the exercise.
Similarly, in Ikogosi-Ekiti, Ekiti West Local Government Area, where Oyebanji hails from, residents also began celebrating the victory of their kinsman at the poll.
Also in Ikere-Ekiti, where Oyebanji’s running mate, Mrs Monitade Afuye, hails from, residents began celebrating as the results were announced by the respective local government Returning Officers.
In different parts of the state also, some members of the ruling party celebrated the victory, describing it as well-deserved.