By Samuel Sunday
A former Secretary to the Ekiti State Government, Ambassador Dare Bejide, has been elected by the African Democratic Congress ADC, as its governorship candidate for the 2026 election in Ekiti State.
Bejide, who is also former Ambassador to Canada, secured 15,466 votes to defeat four other contestants, including former Deputy Governor of Ekiti state Prof. Olusola Eleka who came second with 12,003 votes. While Barr. Femi Adegbite scored 9,141 votes, Otunba Emmanuel Fayose scored 2,865 votes and Apostle Ayodele Adesua scored 135 votes respectively.
The Chairman of the ADC Primary Election Committee, Senator Patricia Naomi Akwashiki, who announced the result before the INEC, Security Agencies and the media said the Committee stepped down results from Ilejemeje and Oye Local Government and cancelled that of Emure local government because of irregularity.
She described the primary election in the state as very peaceful and praised the party members who came out in large numbers to participate in the election in all the 16 local governments across the state.
She equally frowned at the activities of party members who came to disrupt the exercise at the collation centre and called for restraints.
The former lawmaker thanked the aspirants for their commitment to the party and urged those who may have any complaints about the exercise among them to take such complaints to the Appeal Committee that has been set up for that purpose.
She appreciated the Independent Electoral Commission, the security agencies and the media for their cooperation during the exercise.
The party in its response thanked the State Primary Election Committee, the INEC, Media and all the security agencies for the job done and promised to cooperate with the party stakeholders to resolve all disputes that may arise from the exercise.
