By Peter Omopo
Governor Biodun Oyebanji has pledged to intensify efforts in delivering good governance and development to the people of Ekiti State following his re-election in Saturday’s governorship poll.
Oyebanji, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), made the pledge shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him winner of the election.
Speaking after the announcement of the results, the governor expressed gratitude to the electorate for renewing his mandate and assured them of continued commitment to selfless service.
“I will continue to serve the people of Ekiti. I have a proper understanding of the responsibility that this has placed on my shoulders. The responsibility of service, continuous service to the people of Ekiti, and I assure them that I will serve them with courage, compassion, humility and the fear of God,” he said.
He added that residents should expect greater dividends of democracy as his administration concludes its first term and prepares for a second tenure.
According to him, his government will remain focused on implementing the state’s 30-year development plan, which serves as the blueprint for governance and long-term growth.
“We have a 30-year development plan that guides whatever we do in the state. We will continue to implement that plan. We cannot deviate from it, but if there are issues to bring on board, we will review it. The people should expect detailed implementation of the development plan because we are on course,” Oyebanji stated.
INEC declared Oyebanji winner after he secured 319,224 votes to defeat his closest rival, Dr Oluwole Oluyede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 40,543 votes. Ambassador Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) came third with 12,872 votes.
The Action Democratic Party (ADP) garnered 1,269 votes, while other parties recorded lower figures. The Accord Party polled 564 votes, Labour Party (LP) secured 276 votes, African Action Congress (AAC) received 195 votes, Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) got 163 votes, Action Alliance (AA) recorded 126 votes, Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) polled 113 votes, Young Progressives Party (YPP) secured 98 votes, Action Peoples Party (APP) received 61 votes, and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) recorded 59 votes.
INEC announced that 375,778 valid votes were cast in the election, while 6,332 votes were rejected, bringing the total votes cast to 382,109. The commission also disclosed that 384,940 voters were accredited out of the state’s 988,251 registered voters.
The victory grants Oyebanji a fresh mandate to continue implementing his administration’s development agenda and consolidate ongoing projects across Ekiti State.
