Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has been sworn in for a second four-year term alongside his deputy, Monisade Afuye, following his re-election in the June 20, 2026 governorship election.
The inauguration ceremony took place on Friday, October 16, at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital. The Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, administered the oaths of office and allegiance to the governor and his deputy.
Afuye took her oaths at about 1:28 p.m., while Oyebanji was sworn in at approximately 1:40 p.m. Both subsequently signed the necessary documents to formalise their return to office for another four-year tenure.
The ceremony attracted several prominent political figures, government officials, traditional rulers and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Those in attendance included Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau; and Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake.
Former Ekiti governors Ayodele Fayose, Segun Oni and Kayode Fayemi were also present, alongside Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
Oyebanji Makes Ekiti Political History
Oyebanji’s inauguration marks a significant development in Ekiti State’s political history, as he becomes the first governor since the state was created in 1996 to secure consecutive terms through re-election.
He won the June 20 governorship election with 319,224 votes, defeating his closest challenger, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Oluwole Oluyede, who polled 40,543 votes. African Democratic Congress candidate Dare Bejide came third with 12,872 votes, according to figures announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). <Cite refs={[“turn674091news3″,”turn674091news16”]}/>
Focus Shifts to Second-Term Priorities
As he begins his second term, expectations are centred on the implementation of programmes aimed at improving residents’ welfare and expanding development across the state.
The Ekiti State Government has identified healthcare, electricity, road construction, water supply, agriculture, human capital development and economic opportunities as key priorities for the new administration.
The government has also outlined plans to intensify rural development and improve infrastructure through road projects and partnerships with development organisations. <Cite refs={[“turn674091search1”]}/>
Oyebanji’s second term provides an opportunity for his administration to build on its existing programmes while addressing the economic and social challenges facing residents.
The governor and his deputy are expected to continue working with state institutions, local governments and other stakeholders to pursue their development agenda over the next four years.
