ADC Nominates Dare Bejide as 2026 Ekiti Governorship Candidate
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially selected Dare Bejide, Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Canada, as its candidate for the 2026 Ekiti governorship election. Bejide emerged victorious by defeating four other contenders in a primary election held earlier this week.
Gboyega Aribisogan, the Publicity Secretary of the Ekiti ADC, confirmed that Amb. Bejide secured 15,466 votes, making him the party’s chosen candidate. The results were announced by the Chairman of the ADC Primary Election Committee, Senator Patricia Naomi Akwashiki, in the presence of officials from the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and the media.
Bejide’s closest competitor was Prof. Olusola Eleka, the former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, who received 12,003 votes. The other candidates included Barr Femi Adegbite with 9,141 votes, Otunba Emmanuel Fayose with 2,865 votes, and Apostle Ayodele Adesua with just 135 votes.
Aribisogan highlighted that the primary election results were declared on Friday morning. However, the committee rejected the results from Ilejemeje and Oye Local Government areas due to irregularities. The results from Emure Local Government were also canceled for similar reasons.
Senator Akwashiki described the primary election as “very peaceful” and commended the large number of party members who participated in the process across all 16 local governments in Ekiti State. She urged party members to exercise restraint and avoid disrupting the election activities at the collation centers.
She also thanked the aspirants for their commitment to the party and encouraged those with complaints about the election process to bring them to the Appeal Committee established for this purpose. Akwashiki expressed gratitude to INEC, security agencies, and the media for their cooperation during the event.
The ADC expressed appreciation for the efforts of the State Primary Election Committee, INEC, the media, and security agencies. The party pledged to work with stakeholders to resolve any disputes arising from the election.
Disruptions During the Primary Election
Despite the overall peaceful conduct of the primary, there were reports of disruptions at the coalition center in Ado Ekiti on Thursday. A group of thugs allegedly acting on behalf of one of the candidates overpowered security agents and gained access to the center through windows. They destroyed furniture and some documents.
Prof. Eleka later alleged that the primary election results in some local government areas were manipulated. He called for the cancellation of the governorship primary, citing concerns over the integrity of the process.
Key Candidates and Their Performance
Here is a breakdown of the candidates and their vote counts:
- Dare Bejide– 15,466 votes
- Prof. Olusola Eleka– 12,003 votes
- Barr Femi Adegbite– 9,141 votes
- Otunba Emmanuel Fayose– 2,865 votes
- Apostle Ayodele Adesua– 135 votes
Impact of Irregularities
The rejection of results from certain local government areas highlights the challenges faced during the primary election. The ADC Primary Election Committee took decisive action to ensure the legitimacy of the process, canceling results where irregularities were observed.
This decision underscores the importance of transparency and fairness in political processes, especially in a state like Ekiti, which has a history of competitive elections.
Future Steps
The ADC has committed to addressing any disputes that may arise from the primary election. The party will work closely with stakeholders to ensure that the nomination process is respected and that the chosen candidate can campaign effectively for the 2026 governorship race.
As the political landscape in Ekiti continues to evolve, the ADC’s selection of Dare Bejide signals a shift in the party’s strategy and priorities. With the support of its members and the broader electorate, the party aims to build a strong foundation for its future campaigns.