Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has recorded an early lead in the ongoing Ekiti State governorship election after defeating the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Dare Bejide, in his polling unit and ward.

The result was declared at Polling Unit 004, Ward 2, Ekiti South-West Local Government Area, where Bejide hails from.

The ward is also shared with IT expert and politician Makinde Araoye.

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According to the results announced, Oyebanji polled 140 votes, while Bejide secured 37 votes.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) recorded 2 votes.

Result breakdown for PU 004, Ward 2:
APC: 140 votes
ADC: 37 votes
PDP: 2 votes

The outcome handed the APC an early advantage as collation of results continues across the state under the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The result is seen as significant because Bejide lost in his own polling unit, an area expected to favour him as a native of the ward.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has addressed concerns over technical challenges experienced during the Ondo South Senatorial District by-election, assuring voters that the election process remains peaceful, transparent, and credible.

Speaking to journalists on Saturday in Okitipupa while monitoring the exercise, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State, Mr. Mutiu Agboke, acknowledged reports of network-related issues affecting voter accreditation in some polling units but said the commission’s technical team was already working to resolve the problem.

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“It is something from the centre and our technical team is looking at it. We are using machines and anything can happen. What is important is our ability to respond professionally and resolve any challenge that arises,” Agboke stated.

Despite the challenges, the REC expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the by-election, noting that most polling units opened on time, with electoral officials arriving early to commence voting.

“We saw enthusiasm among voters to participate in the election. Our officials were at the polling units early and, largely, most of the polling units opened on time,” he said.

Agboke further revealed that security personnel had been strategically deployed across the six local government areas involved in the election, adding that no incidents of violence or casualties had been recorded.

On voter turnout, he said it was still too early to provide an accurate assessment, explaining that INEC would rely on data generated from its monitoring dashboard before making any official declaration.

Also speaking, INEC National Commissioner, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, clarified the process of transmitting and collating election results, particularly regarding the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).

“After counting at each polling unit and entering the scores in the appropriate forms, the result sheets will be uploaded to IReV using the BVAS machine. The physical copies will then move from the polling unit to the Registration Area collation centre, the local government collation centre and finally the senatorial collation centre,” Ajayi explained.

He also dismissed the misconception that IReV automatically calculates election results.

“Some people think that IReV automatically provides total scores. No, it does not. It only displays the uploaded result sheets. The final result will be determined at the senatorial collation centre where all scores are collated,” he said.

The Ondo South Senatorial District by-election is being conducted to fill the vacant seat left by former senator Jimoh Ibrahim following his appointment as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

The Rivers State Police Command has announced a restriction of movement of persons, vehicles, and motorcycles across seven local government areas ahead of the Rivers South-East Senatorial District by-election scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026.

The affected local government areas are Andoni, Tai, Khana, Gokana, Eleme, Oyigbo, and Opobo/Nkoro.

The election, which will be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is being held to fill the vacant senatorial seat following the death of former representative Barry Mpigi, who passed away in February.

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In a statement issued on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Blessing Agabe, said the restriction will run from 12:00 a.m. on Friday, June 19, 2026, to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2026.

The statement quoted the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, as saying the measure forms part of comprehensive security arrangements to ensure a peaceful, orderly, free, fair, and credible electoral process.

According to the police, the restriction is aimed at enhancing public safety, protecting electoral officials and materials, preventing electoral malpractice, and ensuring voters can exercise their civic duty without fear, intimidation, or harassment.

The statement read in part: “The Rivers State Police Command hereby notifies members of the public, particularly residents of Andoni, Tai, Khana, Gokana, Eleme, Oyigbo and Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Areas, of a temporary restriction on movement ahead of the Rivers South-East Senatorial District By-Election scheduled to hold on Saturday, 20th June 2026.”

“As part of comprehensive security measures put in place to guarantee a peaceful, orderly, free, fair, and credible electoral process, the movement of persons, vehicles, and motorcycles within the affected Local Government Areas will be restricted from 12:00 a.m. on Friday, 19th June 2026, until 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, 20th June 2026.”

The command warned that anyone who violates the order or engages in electoral offences such as vote-buying, voter intimidation, thuggery, or any act capable of disrupting the election will be dealt with decisively in accordance with the law.

“The Command warns that any individual or group found violating the restriction order, engaging in acts capable of disrupting the electoral process or participating in any form of electoral violence, vote-buying, voter intimidation, thuggery or any other unlawful activity will be dealt with decisively in accordance with the law.”

The police urged political parties, candidates, supporters, and residents of the affected LGAs to remain peaceful and cooperate fully with security agencies.

“CP Olugbenga Adepoju calls on all political parties, candidates, supporters, and residents of the affected Local Government Areas to remain peaceful, law-abiding, and cooperative with security agencies to ensure a successful electoral exercise.”

The command assured that adequate security personnel have been deployed in collaboration with other agencies to protect lives, property, and electoral materials throughout the exercise.

“The Command wishes to reassure the public that robust security arrangements have been put in place, in collaboration with other security and relevant agencies, to ensure the protection of lives and property, safeguard electoral materials, and guarantee a peaceful, free, fair and credible election.”

Residents were also advised to stay alert and report suspicious movements to security authorities.