By Monsurat Abisoye
Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has congratulated the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate and Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, on his re-election, describing the outcome as a strong endorsement of his leadership and governance performance.
Bamidele, who also chaired the APC Governorship Election Campaign Council in Ekiti, said the renewed mandate would ensure continuity in governance, deepen reforms and accelerate development across the state. In a statement issued on Sunday through his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, he described the victory as “a signpost for a better, brighter and greater Ekiti”.
The Returning Officer, Prof. Adenike Oladiji, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), announced the final results at the collation centre in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday morning. According to the declaration, Oyebanji secured 319,224 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Dr Wole Oluyede, polled 40,543 votes, and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Dare Bejide, scored 12,872 votes.
Bamidele said Oyebanji’s leadership had promoted peace, unity and stability in Ekiti, transforming the political environment from one previously marked by division and hostility to one defined by cooperation and collaboration in governance.
He also praised the governor’s ability to unite political stakeholders across party lines and build strong relationships with former governors and key figures in the state, describing it as a rare achievement in Nigeria’s political landscape.
According to him, the election outcome reflected public confidence in Oyebanji’s leadership, governance style and commitment to the welfare of citizens. He noted that Oyebanji had made history as the first Ekiti governor to secure back-to-back re-election since 1999.
Bamidele expressed optimism that the governor’s second term would consolidate ongoing reforms, strengthen development efforts and further establish Ekiti as a model of good governance and political stability.
He also commended the people of Ekiti State for their peaceful conduct before, during and after the election, as well as their active participation in the democratic process. The Senate Leader further thanked the APC leadership at both national and state levels for their support, which he said contributed to the party’s victory.
