By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
Come Saturday, June 20, 2026, over one million registered voters in Ekiti State will go to the polls to elect a governor to manage the state’s affairs for the next four years.
According to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) updated list, 14 candidates from 14 different political parties have been cleared to contest in the election.
Among those jostling to occupy Oke Ayoba Government House in Ado-Ekiti are the incumbent governor of the state, seasoned politicians, entrepreneurs, and newcomers to the state’s politics.
As voters in Ekiti State prepare to elect their preferred candidates on Saturday, Impact Nigeria Newspaper profiles the 14 contenders in the 2026 governorship poll.
1. Opeyemi Falegan (Accord Party)
Forty-one-year-old Falegan is the governorship candidate of the Accord Party in the 2026 Ekiti State election. His running mate is Omoyemi Olaleye.
Falegan, an indigene of Ado-Ekiti, is a former British military officer and the founder of the ODF Foundation, an organisation focused on empowering widows and supporting less privileged members of society.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer and Information Science from City University.
He is a politician, legislator, and community development advocate with a governorship ambition focused on grassroots development and social welfare.
2. Omotosho Olu (Action Alliance)
Omotosho Olu is contesting the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election on the platform of the Action Alliance (AA).
The party announced Olu as its gubernatorial candidate in the 2026 election in May alongside Ayo George as the deputy governorship candidate.
The 64-year-old said his administration would focus on transforming education and healthcare, promoting youth inclusion and technological development, strengthening social security, encouraging local content, and implementing proactive policies aligned with global trends, while ensuring government transparency.
Olu’s educational background includes a First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC), a West African Examination Council (WAEC) certificate, an Advanced Certificate (ADV), and a Diploma.
3. Oluwasegun Samuel Akande (African Action Congress)
Oluwasegun Akande is the African Action Congress (AAC) flag bearer in the 2026 Ekiti governorship election.
The 36-year-old is contesting the gubernatorial seat alongside Oluwasanmi Fajuyigbe as his deputy.
4. Oluwadare Bejide (African Democratic Congress)
Oluwadare Bejide is the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election
Bejide is a seasoned politician and served as Nigeria’s ambassador to Canada and a former Secretary to the Ekiti State Government.
He defeated a former deputy governor, Professor Kolapo Olusola-Eleka, in the party’s primary election to emerge as its flag bearer.
Bejide studied Law at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, and has served in public service at both the state and national levels for many years.
5. Ayodeji Ojo (Action Democratic Party)
Ayodeji Ojo, the governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election, hails from Ikere-Ekiti.
The 42-year-old is contesting alongside Itunu Ibitoye, who is 35 years old, as his running mate.
6. Abiodun Oyebanji (All Progressives Congress)
Abiodun Oyebanji, the incumbent governor of Ekiti State and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is seeking a second term alongside his running mate, Monisade Afuye.
The 58-year-old Ikogosi-Ekiti-born politician is not new to politics, having worked as a public servant with decades of experience in government administration under his belt.
Oyebanji served as both a member and secretary of the committee responsible for the state’s creation in 1996 and later served as Secretary to the Government of Ekiti State between October 2018 and December 2021 under the administration of former governor, Kayode Fayemi.
He bagged a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Ondo State University (now Ekiti State University) in 1989.
7. Joseph Anifowose (Allied People’s Movement)
Joseph Anifowose was cleared by INEC to contest the 2026 Ekiti State gubernatorial election alongside Margaret Illesanmi on the platform of the Allied People’s Movement (APM).
However, the 65-year-old announced his withdrawal from the race and declared his support for Biodun Oyebanji, the current governor, who is seeking re-election.
8. Bidemi Awogbemi (Action People’s Party)
Bidemi Awogbemi is the 2026 Ekiti State governorship candidate of the Action People’s Party (APP).
The 36-year-old gubernatorial candidate is contesting the state’s highest office alongside his running mate, Akinyemi Adewumi.
9. Oyebanji Olajuyin (Labour Party)
Oyebanji Olajuyin is the Labour Party’s governorship candidate, running alongside Ayokunle Okumade as his deputy governorship candidate.
Oyebanji was born on April 5, 1958, in Ikere-Ekiti and earned a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree from the University of Ibadan and went on to build a distinguished career in medicine.
The 68-year-old has over three decades of professional and administrative experience, having previously served as the Chief Medical Director of the former Ekiti State Specialist Hospital, now known as Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital.
10. Blessing Abegunde (New Nigeria People’s Party)
Blessing Abegunde, the governorship candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), is the youngest contender in the 2026 Ekiti governorship race.
The 35-year-old entrepreneur and grassroots development advocate is contesting alongside Francis Ajayi as his running mate.
He founded the Blessing Abegunde Movement (BAM), an organisation focused on youth empowerment, accountable leadership, and community development.
11. Olumayokun Oluwole Oluyede (People Democratic Party)
Olumayokun Oluyede, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the June 20, 2026, Ekiti State gubernatorial election, is not new to the state’s gubernatorial race. He had contested the governorship election in 2022 under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Born on June 4, 1964, Oluyede, who hails from Ikere-Ekiti, is a medical doctor, entrepreneur, and politician.
He studied Medicine at the University of Ilorin, where he obtained a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree in 1986.
At 27, Oluyede established the Bethany Clinic in Lagos before relocating abroad, where he practised medicine in the United States, the Caribbean, Canada, and Australia.
12. Olaniyi Ayodele (People’s Redemption Party)
Olaniyi Ayodele is the gubernatorial candidate of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) in the June 20 Ekiti State governorship election, contesting alongside Modupe Adebiyi.
The 49-year-old Ikere-Ekiti indigene studied Food Science and Technology at Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State.
Ayodele has years of experience in business and agriculture and served as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of WITPARK Homes Ltd., a real estate development company.
He also served as the Ekiti State Coordinator of the Nigerian Association of Agricultural Produce Dealers, where he worked closely with local farmers and traders.
13. Osinkolu Olusegun Ayodele (Young Progressive Party)
Osinkolu Ayodele is the governorship candidate of the Young Progressive Party (YPP) in the June 20 Ekiti governorship race, alongside his running mate, Arowolo Olusesan.
Ayodele’s gubernatorial agenda is hinged on the party’s vision for youth development and governance.
14. Victor Adetunji (Zenith Labour Party)
Victor Adetunji is the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) candidate in the 2026 governorship election.
The 38-year-old is contesting alongside Adesina Oyeniyi as his deputy governorship candidate.
