The independent national electoral commission, INEC has declared the All Progressive Congress APC, winner of governorship election in Ekiti.
Abiodun Oyebanji, the candidate of All progressive Congress, APC defeated Olabisi Kolapo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Olusegun Oni of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Oyebanji polled a total of 187,057 votes to defeat his two closest challengers – Segun Oni of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Bisi Kolawole of the People’s Democratic Party, who came distant third position.
The SDP emerged in second place with total votes of 82,211 while the PDP was third with 67,457 votes.
Mr Oyebanji is now set to replace incumbent Kayode Fayemi in October.
The election, which was marred with reports of vote buying and violence, was largely peaceful, independent observers said.
According to INEC, 988,923 registered voters were expected to participate in the exercise.
However, only 363,438 voters were accredited.
The polls officially opened at around 8:30am (WAT) on Saturday and was expected to close at 2:30 pm (WAT).
Some voters who stormed polling units to exercise their franchise vowed not to sell their votes.
“Ekiti is a state of professors . . . we are not illiterates,” one electorate said.
But reports of massive vote buying soon surfaced, prompting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to embark on a raid and make some arrests.
Some voters were also sighted scrambling for money during the election
