- Court Affirms Oyebanji As APC Candidate, Faults Olawumi’s Appeal
- SDP Withdraws Candidate, Endorses Oyebanji
- Use Your Votes To Send APC Packing, Aregbesola Charges Ekiti People
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the distribution of sensitive election materials for the Ekiti State governorship election scheduled for Saturday, signaling the final phase of preparations for the crucial poll.
The distribution exercise, conducted under the watch of security agencies, political party representatives, election observers, and other stakeholders, involves the deployment of sensitive materials, including ballot papers, result sheets, and other election documents, to local government areas across the state from the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ekiti state, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi, said the process has been smooth, giving assurance that the materials would reach their destinations in time.
Meanwhile, Governor Abiodun Oyebanji has won another legal battle over his bid for re-election after the Court of Appeal in Abuja upheld his candidacy for the forthcoming Ekiti governorship election.
In a unanimous judgment delivered on Thursday, a three-member panel led by Justice Adebukola Banjoko dismissed the appeal filed by APC member Abimbola Olawumi, describing it as incompetent.
The appellate court held that Olawumi’s brief of argument violated court rules by exceeding the permitted length, rendering the appeal unsupported by valid arguments.
The court also allowed Oyebanji’s cross-appeal, ruling that the lower court erred in classifying Olawumi as an aspirant under the provisions of the Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022, effectively affirming Oyebanji as the APC candidate for the election.
Also, in a dramatic political twist just 24 hours before the Ekiti governorship election, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has withdrawn its support for its candidate, Peter Obafemi, and endorsed Governor Oyebanji.
The decision was announced on Thursday in Ado-Ekiti by the SDP State Chairman, Ayodele Bamikole, who said it followed wide consultations with party leaders and stakeholders across the state’s 16 local government areas.
Bamikole said the party’s leadership concluded that Oyebanji had demonstrated stronger performance in office and deserved continuity in governance.
He also criticised the SDP’s flagbearer for what he described as poor engagement and lack of visible campaign activity since emerging through a substitution process.
According to him, “continuity is very crucial,” adding that the party had resolved to mobilise support for the governor, including a pledged 25,000 votes from its structure.
The SDP also alleged an attack on its state secretariat on June 17 by suspected hoodlums and called on security agencies to investigate the incident.
Despite the internal setback, Bamikole insisted the party remains strong in Ekiti and will continue to play a role in the state’s political landscape.
In a related development, former Osun State Governor and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, has told Ekiti voters that Nigeria has entered one chance, urging them to use the ballot box to change the country’s direction.
Aregbesola made the remark on Thursday at the party’s mega final rally held at the ADC secretariat in Ado-Ekiti, ahead of Saturday’s June 20, 2026 governorship election.
Addressing supporters, Aregbesola said Nigerians are facing economic hardship and governance challenges, adding that citizens have a responsibility to determine the country’s future through their votes.
He urged women, youths and other eligible voters not to stay away from the polls, expressing confidence that the ADC would emerge victorious in the election.
