Less than two weeks remain until Ekiti State’s governorship election on June 20. As the ruling All Progressives Congress, the Peoples Democratic Party, and the African Democratic Congress step up their campaigns in what is expected to be a pivotal battle for the state’s political future, the political climate throughout the Fountain of Knowledge is charged with anticipation.
Sunday PUNCH gathered that over one million registered voters are expected to determine the outcome of an election that presents a battle of competing narratives and could influence not only the future of Ekiti State but also political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Findings also show that although 15 political parties are participating in the election, the contest has largely narrowed to a three-way battle involving incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the APC, Dr. Wole Oluyede of the PDP, and Dare Bejide of the ADC. The trio have dominated the campaign landscape, taking their messages to voters across the state’s 177 wards and 16 local government areas.
At stake is not only the governorship seat but also the direction Ekiti will take over the next four years.
One of the defining features of the election season has been the relatively peaceful conduct of campaigns. Political parties and candidates signed a peace accord on May 21 under the auspices of the National Peace Committee, implemented by the Kukah Centre and witnessed by the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, and civil society organizations.
The Chairman of the National Peace Committee, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar (retd), represented by former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Martin Agwai (retd), described the accord as a collective commitment to peaceful, credible, and violence-free elections.
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The Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, echoed the need for peace, stressing that elections should remain a contest of ideas rather than conflict, while assuring voters of adequate security arrangements before, during, and after the poll.
For INEC, the election presents another opportunity to demonstrate its readiness. The electoral body says all preparations are almost completed, with only the distribution of sensitive materials and the conduct of the election remaining.
INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan disclosed that 1,059,360 registered voters are eligible to participate in the election, while the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ekiti State, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi, has repeatedly assured stakeholders of a transparent, credible, and seamless process.
For the APC, the election is both a referendum on Oyebanji’s first term and an opportunity to make political history.
The ruling party argues that the governor’s achievements in infrastructure, health, education, technology, and security have earned him widespread acceptance across the state.
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