Ekiti 2026: ADC confident of victory, says party’s governorship candidate

Bejide holding the party's flag while addressing party members and supporters in Ekiti. Photo: Abiodun Nejo

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The African Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Dare Bejide, on Wednesday expressed confidence that his party would win the June 20, 2026, election and form the next government in the state.

Bejide, a former Nigerian High Commissioner to Canada, said the party’s popularity, unity among leaders, and growing public discontent with the current government would give ADC an edge in the poll.

“The party’s popularity, unity of purpose and cooperation among leaders and members, coupled with the growing disenchantment with the present government in the state, will give our party the edge in the election,” Bejide said while addressing party members at the ADC state secretariat in Ado Ekiti, the state capital.

He had earlier visited the party’s national secretariat in the Federal Capital Territory to receive his ticket as the party’s candidate.

Bejide commended the four aspirants who contested with him in the party primaries, noting that their support after his emergence would strengthen the party ahead of the governorship poll.

Bejide added, “We are going to win the forthcoming governorship election and will have formed government at the Ayoba Government House by this time next year. I am the next governor of Ekiti State.”

The candidate urged party members to remain united and committed, promising, “We will work hard to dislodge the government of the day and the ADC government will be put in place in Ekiti 2026.”

In a symbolic gesture, Bejide led members to a popular church in Ado Ekiti to present the party ticket in prayers and thanksgiving.

“I’m taking this ticket to church for dedication because I believe all powers belong to God. You cannot get anything without the approval of God,” he said.

Earlier, ADC State Chairman, Ilesanmi Omolayo, expressed confidence that Bejide’s candidacy would deliver victory for the party.

“Our party, ADC, has brought peace and liberation to the state,” he said.

Omolayo praised the unity among aspirants and members, noting, “The cooperation of all the aspirants with our candidate and the presence of some of them here today show that we are ready for governance in Ekiti State.”

The Chairman of the reception committee, Akin Omole, called on members to continue working toward the party’s victory.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed June 20, 2026, for the governorship election.

Bejide emerged ADC’s candidate on November 7 after defeating four other candidates in the party primary conducted across 177 wards.

According to ADC State Publicity Secretary, Gboyega Aribisogan, Bejide scored 15,766 votes, while former Deputy Governor Prof. Kolapo Olusola-Eleka received 12,003 votes; legal practitioner Femi Adegbite got 9,141 votes; and ICT expert Isaac Fayose secured 2,865 votes. Businessman Ayodele Adesua had earlier stepped down.

Aribisogan added that the primary, described as peaceful by Senator Patricia Akwashiki, Chairman of the ADC Primary Election Committee, saw a large turnout across all 16 local government areas.

Akwashiki thanked aspirants for their commitment and advised those with complaints to approach the party’s Appeal Committee.

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