By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan
A former Secretary to the Ekiti State Government (SSG) , Ambassador Dare Bejide, has emerged candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2026 governorship election in the state.
Bejide, a former Nigerian Ambassador to Canada, polled 15,466 votes to defeat four other contestants, including former Deputy Governor of the state, Professir Olusola Eleka, who came second with 12,003 votes.
A lawyer, Mr. Femi Adegbite, scored 9,141 votes, while brother to another former governor of the state, Otunba Emmanuel Fayose, scored 2,865 votes. Another leading contestant, Apostle Ayodele Adesua, scored 135 votes.
The Chairman of the ADC Primary Election Committee, Senator Patricia Naomi Akwashiki, who announced the result before officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and the media, said the committee stepped down the results from Ilejemeje and Oye Local Government Areas 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 number to participate in the election in all 16 Local Governments across the state.”
Akwashiki frowned at the activities of party members who came to disrupt the exercise at the collation center and called for restraint.
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 expressed appreciation to INEC, security agencies, and the media for their cooperation during the exercise.
The party also thanked its State Primary Election Committee, the INEC, the media, and all the security agencies for the job done and promised to cooperate with stakeholders to resolve all disputes that might have arisen from the exercise.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Amb. Bejide.
