The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has presented certificate of return to Biodun Oyebanji, the Ekiti State governor and winner of the off-cycle 2026 governorship election held on Saturday in the state.

The commission on Sunday declared Mr Oyebanji, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), winner of the election after polling 319,224 votes across the 16 local government areas in the state.

The electoral commission presented the certificates to Mr Oyebanji and his deputy, Monisade Afuye, on Tuesday, at a ceremony held at the INEC state headquarters, along New Iyin Road in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

In his address, the state’s resident electoral commissioner, Bunmi Omoseyindemi, thanked residents of the state for showing resilience and commitment to democracy, and for conducting themselves in a peaceful manner during the election period.

Mr Omoseyindemi stated, “I wish to express profound appreciation to the people of Ekiti State for their peaceful conduct, resilience and commitment to democracy throughout the electoral process. The election was conducted in a peaceful, transparent, free, fair and inclusive manner.”

The REC also appreciated stakeholders, including security agencies, the media, civil society organisations, election observers and election officials, for their cooperation and professionalism in ensuring the smooth conduct of the exercise.

He charged the governor-elect and the deputy governor-elect to embrace the responsibility of leadership with humility, inclusiveness and dedication to the welfare of residents of the state.

He stated, “To the governor-elect and deputy governor-elect, I congratulate you on your victory at the polls. This certificate being presented today is not just a symbol of electoral success but a solemn reminder of the trust and expectations reposed in you by the people of Ekiti State.”

He also called on all other contestants to embrace the spirit of sportsmanship, peace and democratic engagement.

The REC said, “To all the contestants, I urge that the spirit of sportsmanship, peace and democratic engagement be sustained so as to continue to deepen our democracy.”

In his speech, Mr Oyebanji stated that his victory at the poll was made possible by God and the support of President Bola Tinubu, adding that the president particularly exercised courage by amending the Electoral Act.

The governor also commended INEC for being professional in the conduct of the election, stating that lessons derived from the exercise would contribute to the success of future elections.

“I am grateful to the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. After God, the next person responsible for this victory is the president. I am very grateful to him for his support and encouragement, especially for the courage to amend the Electoral Act,” Mr Oyebanji stated.

“Ekiti election was the first election after the Act was signed into law and you can see INEC’s performance. It was a great improvement. I thank INEC for being professional, for being fair and for being just,” he said.

Mr Oyebanji vowed to serve residents of the state with humility, fear of God and commitment to the people’s welfare.

He stated, “I promise Ekiti people that I will continue to serve them with humility, fear of God and the commitment that they hold dear.”

He also encouraged his co-contestants to join hands with his administration to implement the vision of shared prosperity.

According to Mr Oyebanji, his administration is ready to work with other contestants in the election by aligning programmes and policies that could foster the interests of residents of the state.

“I also invite all other contestants to join hands with us in our quest to continue the implementation of our shared prosperity. I have had conversations with two of them and I visited one of them so that we can align our policies and programs in the interest of our people,” he said.

The governor said there was no loser or winner in the election, noting that the victory must be seen as a win for democracy.

“Elections are over. We are one. We must put behind all those issues, either before the primaries or after. Let us come together as one. That is the only way we can continue to develop as a people. Nobody has won this election. There is no winner, there is no loser. It is democracy that has won,” Mr Oyebanji stated.