ADC declares Dare Bejide Ekiti governorship candidate
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has declared Dare Bejide, a former Nigerian Ambassador to Canada, as its governorship candidate for the upcoming election in Ekiti State.
Bolaji Abdullahi, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, while announcing the results of the party’s governorship primary election, said Bejide secured 15,466 votes to defeat four other contestants, including a former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Olusola Eleka, who came second with 12,003 votes.
Femi Adegbite scored 9,141 votes, Emmanuel Fayose polled 2,865 votes, while Ayodele Adesua got 135 votes.
The report was corroborated by Gboyega Aribisogan, the State Publicity Secretary of the ADC.
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He disclosed that the Chairperson of the ADC Primary Election Committee, Patricia Akwashiki, who announced the results before INEC officials, security agencies, and the media on Friday morning, said the Committee stepped down results from Ilejemeje and Oye Local Government Areas and cancelled that of Emure Local Government due to irregularities.
Akwashiki described the primary election as very peaceful and praised party members who came out in large numbers to participate across the 16 local government areas of the state.
However, she condemned the actions of some party members who attempted to disrupt the exercise at the collation centre and called for restraint.
She also commended the aspirants for their commitment to the party and urged those with complaints about the exercise to channel them to the Appeal Committee set up for that purpose.
Recall that INEC has fixed June 2026 for the Ekiti governorship election.
Akwashiki further commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and the media for their cooperation during the exercise.
In its response, the party thanked the State Primary Election Committee, INEC, the media, and all security agencies for their roles and promised to work with stakeholders to resolve any disputes that may arise from the exercise.
