Full List of Candidates, Parties Contesting 2026 Ekiti Governorship Election

Citizens of Ekiti State are preparing to participate in the gubernatorial election today, June 20, 2026.

This off-cycle election is organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and will take place across all 16 local government areas in the state.

According to Naija News, today’s election involves 1.02 million registered voters who will cast their ballots at 2,445 polling units.

Fourteen candidates are competing for the position of governor, with the current governor, Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), seeking a second term. Voters will decide whether to retain his mandate in this crucial electoral process.

If re-elected, Oyebanji would become the first governor in Ekiti’s history to win two consecutive terms.

Oyebanji enters the poll as a leading candidate. He won the 2022 governorship election with 187,057 votes.

The APC controls all nine National Assembly seats, all 26 seats in the State House of Assembly, all 16 local government councils, and 22 Local Council Development Areas.

However, some internal party tensions linger following the primaries, in which several incumbent lawmakers lost their tickets.

ADC – Dare Bejide

Dare Bejide
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is fielding a former Secretary to the State Government and ex-Nigerian Ambassador to Canada, Dare Babajide, as its candidate for today’s election.

He enjoys the backing of several opposition heavyweights, including former Deputy Governor Kolapo Olusola-Eleka, former Commissioner for Information Akin Omole, and businessman Funsho Ayeni.

PDP – Wole Oluyede
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) goes into the contest with Dr. Wole Oluyede as its candidate.

Oluyede is from Ikere-Ekiti in the Ekiti South Senatorial District. His candidacy carries a regional appeal as no governor has emerged from Ekiti South since the state’s creation, and his hometown remains one of the largest voting centres in the state.

Other candidates
Other candidates will also be on the ballot. They are: Akande Oluwasegun Samuel (AAC), Opeyemi Falegan (Accord), Ayodeji Ojo (ADP), Bidemi Olaiya Awogbemi (APP), Oyebanji Ikusayedegbe Olajuyin (Labour Party), Abegunde Ayobami Blessing (NNPP), Olaniyi Olanrewaju Ayodele (PRP), Owoola Daramola (YPP), Olu Omotoso (AA), and Victor Damilola Adetunji (ZLP).

Joseph Anifowose of the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, has withdrawn and endorsed Oyebanji, citing the governor’s record on infrastructure and social services.