Yiaga Africa Validates Ekiti Governorship Results Despite Vote-Buying Concerns

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Oyebanji the winner of the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election with 319,224 votes, defeating Dr. Wole Oluyede of the Peoples Democratic Party and Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress. The election, conducted across 2,445 polling units, saw high voter turnout in areas like Ikogosi-Ekiti and early leads for the All Progressives Congress in Ikere and Ijero.

Election observation group Yiaga Africa validated the official results, stating they were consistent with the organization's independent Parallel Vote Tabulation. However, the group reported significant administrative failures. On election day, Yiaga Africa identified mismatches between candidate lists, ballot papers, and result sheets, which listed between 14 and 19 different parties. Technical challenges with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System also hindered the verification of elderly voters, although some local reports described the system as effective.

In post-election findings, Yiaga Africa raised serious concerns regarding widespread vote-buying and voter inducement. The group also alleged a discrepancy in voter turnout figures, claiming INEC used an outdated 2022 voter register of 988,251 people instead of the updated 2026 register of 1,059,360. While praising the professionalism of the Nigerian Police Force, the observers urged security agencies to prosecute electoral offenders.