6 out of 7: How APC swept Ekiti gov, 5 bye-elections, lost Rivers to PDP

For Governor Biodun Oyebanji, the outcome of the Ekiti State governorship election is a dream come true. After a landslide victory, Oyebanji polled 319,224 votes to defeat the Peoples Democratic Party's (PDP) Dr Wole Oluyede, who scored 40,543 votes. This unprecedented win marked a shift in Ekiti's political culture, as Oyebanji became the first governor to win back-to-back elections in the state. As Oyebanji prepares to serve his second term, the Ekiti people are looking forward to the dawn of a new era, where consensus building, peace, and harmony will be the hallmarks of political engagements.

The Ekiti election, coupled with five bye-elections in Ondo, Enugu, Nasarawa, Kano, and Kebbi states, saw the APC emerge victorious in six out of seven contests. In Ekiti, Oyebanji's APC candidates performed exceptionally well, polling 319,224 votes. In contrast, the PDP's Dr Wole Oluyede trailed behind with 40,543 votes, while the African Democratic Congress's (ADC) Ambassador Dare Bejide came third with 12,872 votes. The lopsided victory has been attributed to Oyebanji's performance as governor, which the Ekiti people have re-employer him for.

President Bola Tinubu's reforms have been hailed as a significant factor in the APC's sweep in the Ekiti election. By freeing resources to states, Tinubu's administration has enabled governors like Oyebanji to deliver on their campaign promises. In his statement, Tinubu commended the people of Ekiti State for their peaceful and orderly conduct, and for reposing their trust in Governor Oyebanji. This endorsement speaks volumes about the impact of Tinubu's reforms on the APC's electoral prospects.

The APC's dominance in six out of seven contests is evidence of the shifting politics in Nigeria. While the PDP has historically been a strong contender, the APC's win in Ekiti and other states indicates a shift in the country's electoral landscape. As Nigeria's politics continues to evolve, the APC's success in the Ekiti election is a significant milestone. This outcome will have implications for the 2027 general elections, where the APC will be looking to maintain its dominance.

As Governor Oyebanji prepares to serve his second term, the Ekiti people are looking forward to the dawn of a new era. With his pledge to work harder and smarter to serve the people, Oyebanji will need to deliver on his campaign promises. The Ekiti election has set a new benchmark for governance in the state, and Oyebanji's administration will need to rise to the challenge. As the APC looks to maintain its dominance in the 2027 general elections, the Ekiti election will be a crucial reference point.

As I look ahead to the 2027 general elections, I predict that the APC will continue to maintain its dominance in many states, including Ekiti. However, the PDP will not go down without a fight, and the 2027 elections will be a closely contested contest. The Ekiti election has marked a significant shift in Nigeria's electoral landscape, and the APC's success will have implications for the country's politics for years to come.

In the end, Governor Oyebanji's landslide victory in the Ekiti election has set the tone for a new era in Ekiti politics. As he prepares to serve his second term, the Ekiti people are looking forward to the dawn of a new era, where consensus building, peace, and harmony will be the hallmarks of political engagements.