2023 Nigerian Senate elections in Ekiti State

2019 Nigerian Senate elections in Ekiti State

←  2019 25 February 2023 2027 →
All 3 Ekiti State seats in the Senate of Nigeria
Majority party Minority party   Party APC PDP Last election 2 [lower-alpha 1] 1 [lower-alpha 1] Seats before 2 1
APC incumbent retiring      APC incumbent running for re-election      PDP incumbent running for re-election

The 2023 Nigerian Senate elections in Ekiti State will be held on 25 February 2023, to elect the 3 federal Senators from Ekiti State, one from each of the state's three senatorial districts. The elections will coincide with the 2023 presidential election, as well as other elections to the Senate and elections to the House of Representatives; with state elections being held two weeks later. Primaries were held between 4 April and 9 June 2022.

Background

In terms of the previous Senate elections, only one senator was returned: in the South district, Abiodun Olujimi (PDP) was re-elected after a court decision but Central Senator Fatimat Raji-Rasaki (PDP-turned-APC) lost renomination and North Senator Duro Faseyi (PDP) was unseated in the general election. In the Central district, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele held the seat for the APC with 65% of the vote and Olubunmi Ayodeji Adetunmbi (APC) defeated Faseyi with 55% in the North district; however, the South district's original results had Adebayo Clement Adeyeye winning but later court ruling awarded the win to Olujimi. ^{[lower-alpha 1]} These results were a part of a large swing to the Ekiti APC as every House of Representatives seat was gained by the party, it won a majority in the House of Assembly, and Buhari won the state in the presidential election.

During the 2019–2023 term, Olujimi and Bamidele both unsuccessfully ran for governor in 2022 with both withdrawing from their respective party primaries in protest of the primary conduct. ^{[3] [4]}

Overview

Affiliation	Party		Total
	APC	PDP
Previous Election	2 [lower-alpha 1]	1 [lower-alpha 1]	3
Before Election	1	2	3
After Election	TBD	TBD	3

Summary

This section is an excerpt from 2023 Nigerian Senate election § Ekiti State.[ edit ]

     APC incumbent retiring
     APC incumbent running
     PDP incumbent running

District	Incumbent		Results
	Incumbent	Party	Status	Candidates
Ekiti Central	Michael Opeyemi Bamidele	APC	Incumbent renominated [5]	▌ Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (APC) [6] [7] ▌ Lateef Ajijola (PDP) [7]
Ekiti North	Olubunmi Ayodeji Adetunmbi	APC	Incumbent lost renomination New member to be elected	▌ Cyril Fasuyi (APC) [8] [6] [7] ▌ Funso Ayeni (PDP) [7]
Ekiti South	Abiodun Olujimi	PDP	Incumbent renominated	▌ Raphael Adeyemi Adaramodu (APC) [6] [7] ▌ Abiodun Olujimi (PDP) [9] [7]

Ekiti Central

2023 Ekiti Central Senatorial District election

←  2019 25 February 2023 2027 →

Nominee Michael Opeyemi Bamidele Lateef Ajijola Party APC PDP

Senator before election Michael Opeyemi Bamidele APC Elected Senator To be determined To be determined

The Ekiti Central Senatorial District covers the local government areas of Ado Ekiti, Efon, Ekiti West, Ijero Ekiti, and Irepodun/Ifelodun. Incumbent Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (APC), who was elected with 65.4% of the vote in 2019, is seeking re-election.

Primary elections

All Progressives Congress

On 20 April 2022, the APC National Executive Committee announced the party's schedule for senatorial primaries, setting its expression of interest form price at ₦3 million and nomination form price at ₦17 million with a 50% discount for candidates younger than 40 while women and candidates with disabilities get free nomination forms. Forms were to be sold from 26 April to 6 May until the deadline was later extended to 10 May then 12 May. ^[10] After the submission of nomination forms by 13 May, candidates were screened by a party committee on 14 and 15 May while 18 May was the date for the screening appeal process. ^[11] Ward congresses and LGA congresses were set for 16 and 17 May to elect delegates for the primary. Candidates approved by the screening process advanced to a primary set for 27 May, in concurrence with other APC senatorial primaries; challenges to the result could be made on 28 May. ^{[12] [13] [14] [15]}

Before the primary, Bamidele initially faced a challenger, former Chief of Staff to Governor Kayode Fayemi Biodun Omoleye, but Omoleye later withdrew from the race. ^[16] The primary in Aramoko-Ekiti in Ekiti West LGA resulted in Bamidele being renominated unopposed. After the primary, Bamidele thanked delegates along with then-Governor Kayode Fayemi, minister Niyi Adebayo, and other party leaders before vowing to help the development of the district. ^{[17] [18]}

People's Democratic Party

On 16 March 2022, the national PDP announced its senatorial primary timetable, setting its expression of interest form price at ₦1 million and the nomination form price at ₦20 million with a 50% discount for candidates between 25 and 30. Forms were to be sold until 1 April but the party later extended the deadline four times before reaching a final deadline of 22 April. After the submission of nomination forms by 25 April, candidates were screened by a party committee on 27 April while 2 May was the rescheduled date for the screening appeal process. Ward congresses were set for 29 April and LGA congresses were rescheduled for 10 May to elect delegates for the primary. ^[19] Candidates approved by the screening process advanced to a primary set for 23 May, in concurrence with other PDP senatorial primaries but due to often violently enforced Monday stay-at-home orders by separatists, southeastern state parties held their primaries on 24 May; ^[20] challenges to the result could be made on 25 May. ^{[21] [22] [23] [24]}

On the primary date, Lateef Ajijola—the 2015 PDP nominee for the seat—was nominated over Henry Kayode Ojo; ^[25] reports from before and after the primary stated that former Governor Ayo Fayose backed Ajijola in an attempt to reconcile the state PDP after the two politicians had previously feuded. ^[16]

General election

Results

2023 Ekiti Central Senatorial District election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	ADC	Feyisayo Omotunde Fajuyi
	APC	Michael Opeyemi Bamidele
	NNPP	Omotunde Fajuyi
	PDP	Lateef Ajijola
	SDP	David Olusesan Arowolo
	ZLP	Olusola Akintola Osuntokun
Total votes				100.00%
Invalid or blank votes				N/A
Turnout

Ekiti North

2023 Ekiti North Senatorial District election

←  2019 25 February 2023 2027 →

Nominee Cyril Fasuyi Funso Ayeni Party APC PDP

Senator before election Olubunmi Ayodeji Adetunmbi APC Elected Senator To be determined To be determined

The Ekiti North Senatorial District covers the local government areas of Ido-Osi, Ikole, Ilejemeje, Moba, and Oye. Incumbent Olubunmi Ayodeji Adetunmbi (APC), who was elected with 54.7% of the vote in 2019, sought re-election but failed to be renomination by his party.

Primary elections

All Progressives Congress

On 20 April 2022, the APC National Executive Committee announced the party's schedule for senatorial primaries, setting its expression of interest form price at ₦3 million and nomination form price at ₦17 million with a 50% discount for candidates younger than 40 while women and candidates with disabilities get free nomination forms. Forms were to be sold from 26 April to 6 May until the deadline was later extended to 10 May then 12 May. ^[10] After the submission of nomination forms by 13 May, candidates were screened by a party committee on 14 and 15 May while 18 May was the date for the screening appeal process. ^[11] Ward congresses and LGA congresses were set for 16 and 17 May to elect delegates for the primary. Candidates approved by the screening process advanced to a primary set for 27 May, in concurrence with other APC senatorial primaries; challenges to the result could be made on 28 May. ^{[12] [13] [14] [15]}

On the primary date, controversy arose over a state party directive that barred journalists from covering the primary. The primary, held in Ifaki-Ekiti in Ido-Osi LGA, was called into question by reporters due to the gag order but carried on and resulted in Adetunmbi losing to Cyril Fasuyi—a businessman who was the Director-General of the Biodun Oyebanji gubernatorial campaign organization at the time of the primary. ^[26]

APC primary results ^[26]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	APC	Cyril Fasuyi	111	43.36%
	APC	Olubunmi Ayodeji Adetunmbi	85	33.20%
	APC	Oluomo Osinkolu	47	18.36%
	APC	Segun Ajibulu	13	5.08%
Total votes			256	100.00%
Invalid or blank votes			14	N/A
Turnout			270	96.43%

People's Democratic Party

On 16 March 2022, the national PDP announced its senatorial primary timetable, setting its expression of interest form price at ₦1 million and the nomination form price at ₦20 million with a 50% discount for candidates between 25 and 30. Forms were to be sold until 1 April but the party later extended the deadline four times before reaching a final deadline of 22 April. After the submission of nomination forms by 25 April, candidates were screened by a party committee on 27 April while 2 May was the rescheduled date for the screening appeal process. Ward congresses were set for 29 April and LGA congresses were rescheduled for 10 May to elect delegates for the primary. ^[19] Candidates approved by the screening process advanced to a primary set for 23 May, in concurrence with other PDP senatorial primaries but due to often violently enforced Monday stay-at-home orders by separatists, southeastern state parties held their primaries on 24 May; ^[27] challenges to the result could be made on 25 May. ^{[21] [22] [23] [28]}

On the primary date, Funso Ayeni was nominated over former MHR Kehinde Agboola. ^[25]

General election

Results

2023 Ekiti North Senatorial District election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	ADC	Kehinde Bamidele Orimolade
	APC	Cyril Fasuyi
	NNPP	Edward Adelusi Ayeni
	PRP	John Olusegun Adeleye
	PDP	Funso Ayeni
	SDP	Akinloye Oladele Aiyegbusi
	YPP	Kehinde Adebanke Daramola
	ZLP	Kolade Ayodele Ipinlaye
Total votes				100.00%
Invalid or blank votes				N/A
Turnout

Ekiti South

2023 Ekiti South Senatorial District election

←  2019 25 February 2023 2027 →

Nominee Raphael Adeyemi Adaramodu Abiodun Olujimi Party APC PDP

Senator before election Abiodun Olujimi PDP Elected Senator To be determined To be determined

The Ekiti South Senatorial District covers the local government areas of Ekiti East, Ekiti South-West, Emure, Gbonyin, Ikere-Ekiti, and Ise/Orun. In the 2019 election, Adebayo Clement Adeyeye (APC) initially won and was sworn in as senator in June; however, his election was overturned in September and the victory awarded to Abiodun Olujimi (PDP). Olujimi is seeking re-election.

Primary elections

All Progressives Congress

On 20 April 2022, the APC National Executive Committee announced the party's schedule for senatorial primaries, setting its expression of interest form price at ₦3 million and nomination form price at ₦17 million with a 50% discount for candidates younger than 40 while women and candidates with disabilities get free nomination forms. Forms were to be sold from 26 April to 6 May until the deadline was later extended to 10 May then 12 May. ^[10] After the submission of nomination forms by 13 May, candidates were screened by a party committee on 14 and 15 May while 18 May was the date for the screening appeal process. ^[11] Ward congresses and LGA congresses were set for 16 and 17 May to elect delegates for the primary. Candidates approved by the screening process advanced to a primary set for 27 May, in concurrence with other APC senatorial primaries; challenges to the result could be made on 28 May. ^{[12] [13] [14] [15]}

The primary in Ikere-Ekiti resulted in Raphael Adeyemi Adaramodu—member of the House of Representatives for Ekiti South West/Ikere/Ise/Orun—being nominated unopposed; ^[18] prior to the primary, reports stated that Adaramodu could be backed by Governor Kayode Fayemi. ^[16]

People's Democratic Party

On 16 March 2022, the national PDP announced its senatorial primary timetable, setting its expression of interest form price at ₦1 million and the nomination form price at ₦20 million with a 50% discount for candidates between 25 and 30. Forms were to be sold until 1 April but the party later extended the deadline four times before reaching a final deadline of 22 April. After the submission of nomination forms by 25 April, candidates were screened by a party committee on 27 April while 2 May was the rescheduled date for the screening appeal process. Ward congresses were set for 29 April and LGA congresses were rescheduled for 10 May to elect delegates for the primary. ^[19] Candidates approved by the screening process advanced to a primary set for 23 May, in concurrence with other PDP senatorial primaries but due to often violently enforced Monday stay-at-home orders by separatists, southeastern state parties held their primaries on 24 May; ^[29] challenges to the result could be made on 25 May. ^{[21] [22] [23] [30]}

Before the primaries, the rift between Olujimi and former Governor Ayo Fayose (who was in effective control of the Ekiti PDP) was noted as a potential threat to Olujimi's renomination bid as several known Fayose allies had announced their candidacies. ^[16] Although the Fayose-backed initially looked to be manifesting as he publicly endorsed his longtime ally—former Deputy Governor Kolapo Olushola in April 2022, the plan fell apart by the next month when Olushola accused Fayose of deceitful manipulation and withdrew from the primary. ^{[31] [32]} In the primary at the Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology in Ikere-Ekiti, the other challenger to Olujimi—another Fayose ally, former member of the House of Representatives for Ekiti South West/Ikere/Ise/Orun Segun Adekola—also withdrew so the exercise renominated Olujimi unopposed. ^{[33] [34]} Later reporting suggested that the withdrawal was a part of reconciliation moves between Fayose and Olujimi. ^[35]

Campaign

Infighting within the state PDP greatly impacted the election campaign, especially in January 2023 when former Governor Ayo Fayose (PDP) reportedly directed his supporters to vote for Adaramodu instead of his intraparty rival Olujimi. In response, Olujimi condemned Fayose as self-centered and disrespectful. ^[36] As campaign season continued into February, Fayose made his endorsement of Adaramodu public and implored local PDP members to back the APC in the senatorial race. However, pundits noted the purported support Olujimi gave to APC gubernatorial nominee Biodun Oyebanji in the 2022 Ekiti State gubernatorial election, surmising that the state APC may not fully support Adaramodu against her. Geographic factors were also noted as while Adaramodu represents the local government areas of Ekiti South-West, Ikere-Ekiti, and Ise/Orun in the House, Olujimi had a formidable base in the rest of the district along with vote-rich Ikere-Ekiti). ^[37]

General election

Results

2023 Ekiti South Senatorial District election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	ADC	Ayokunle Olusegun Ayodele
	APC	Raphael Adeyemi Adaramodu
	NNPP	Ayodele Samuel Olafin
	PDP	Abiodun Olujimi
	SDP	Fasakin Isaac Abiodun
	ZLP	Kehinde Tope Abayomi
Total votes				100.00%
Invalid or blank votes				N/A
Turnout

See also

• 2023 Nigerian Senate election
• 2023 Nigerian elections

Notes

1. For the 2019 election for Ekiti South, Adebayo Clement Adeyeye of the APC was originally elected Senator and was sworn in alongside other senators in June of that year. However, a September 2019 National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal ruling and a subsequent Court of Appeal decision awarded the win to runner-up Abiodun Olujimi (PDP); she took office in November 2019. ^{[1] [2]}

References

1. Babajide, Agbeyo. "Ekiti South: Tribunal Sacks Senate's Spokesman Adeyeye, Declares Olujimi Winner". Channels TV . Retrieved 10 August 2022.
2. Agande, Ben (6 November 2019). "Appeal Court sacks Senate spokesman, Adeyeye". Vanguard . Retrieved 10 August 2022.
3. Owolabi, Femi. "'The party doesn't believe in me' — Biodun Olujimi pulls out of Ekiti PDP guber primary". TheCable . Retrieved 11 August 2022.
4. Oyeleke, Sodiq. "APC primary: Seven Ekiti gov aspirants withdraw amid protest, call for cancellation". The Punch . Retrieved 11 August 2022.
5. "Bamidele picks senatorial form". The Nation . Retrieved 29 April 2022.
6. "Primaries: Oshiomhole, Daniel, Yari, Bamidele, Others Win APC NASS Tickets; Akpanudoedehe Loses Guber Bid In Akwa Ibom". Nigerian Tribune . Retrieved 11 August 2022. The duo of Bamidele and Adaramodu were elected unopposed and affirmed by the delegates at the primaries held in Aramoko-Ekiti and Ikere-Ekiti respectively, while Fasuyi defeated the incumbent, Senator Olubunmi Adetumbi to clinch the Ekiti North senatorial ticket. Reacting, Bamidele said returning him unopposed as the party's candidate represented highest regard and respect that he won't take for granted.
7. Adenekan, Samson. "Download: Full List of 2023 Presidential, Vice Presidential, NASS candidates". Premium Times . Retrieved 21 September 2022.
8. Oluwole, Josiah. "How APC barred journalists from covering senatorial primaries in Ekiti". Premium Times . Retrieved 2 June 2022.
9. Nejo, Abiodun. "Olujimi gets Ekiti South PDP return ticket to Senate". The Punch . Retrieved 28 May 2022.
10. Odunsi, Wale. "2023: APC extends sale of forms, fixes dates to elect delegates". Daily Post . Retrieved 7 May 2022.
11. Nseyen, Nsikak. "2023: APC fixes new date for governorship primaries, others". Daily Post . Retrieved 11 May 2022.
12. Majeed, Bakare (20 April 2022). "UPDATED: 2023: APC fixes presidential forms for N100 million, adopts indirect primaries". Premium Times . Retrieved 25 April 2022.
13. Angbulu, Stephen; Ayeni, Victor; Dada, Peter; Naku, Dennis; Ede, Raphael (21 April 2022). "Presidential primary: APC silent on zoning, Nigerians condemn N100m nomination fee". The Punch . Retrieved 25 April 2022.
14. APC Nigeria [@OfficialAPCNg] (May 11, 2022). "NEW DATES" (Tweet). Retrieved 12 May 2022– via Twitter.
15. APC Nigeria [@OfficialAPCNg] (May 18, 2022). "ADJUSTED TIMETABLE" (Tweet). Retrieved 21 May 2022– via Twitter.
16. Ibrahim, Rasaq. "2023: National Assembly races hot up in Ekiti". The Nation . Retrieved 11 August 2022.
17. Gabriel, Idowu. "Bamidele hails delegates, party leaders for unopposed Ekiti APC Senatorial ticket". News Agency of Nigeria . Retrieved 11 August 2022.
18. "Primaries: Oshiomhole, Daniel, Yari, Bamidele, Others Win APC NASS Tickets; Akpanudoedehe Loses Guber Bid In Akwa Ibom". Nigerian Tribune . Retrieved 11 August 2022. The duo of Bamidele and Adaramodu were elected unopposed and affirmed by the delegates at the primaries held in Aramoko-Ekiti and Ikere-Ekiti respectively, while Fasuyi defeated the incumbent, Senator Olubunmi Adetumbi to clinch the Ekiti North senatorial ticket. Reacting, Bamidele said returning him unopposed as the party's candidate represented highest regard and respect that he won't take for granted.
19. Angbulu, Stephen (21 April 2022). "2023: PDP extends sale of forms for fourth time". The Punch . Retrieved 21 April 2022.
20. "IPOB's Sit-At-Home Forces PDP To Shift Primaries In South East". Daily Trust . Retrieved 30 July 2022.
21. Yakubu, Dirisu (16 March 2022). "[BREAKING] 2023: PDP Presidential primary holds in May". Vanguard . Abuja . Retrieved 7 April 2022.
22. Akpan, Samuel (17 March 2022). "2023: PDP releases pre-election schedule, fixes presidential primary poll for May 28". TheCable . Retrieved 7 April 2022.
23. Official PDP Nigeria [@OfficialPDPNig] (May 5, 2022). "2023 General Elections: @OfficialPDPNig updated Time Table and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 general elections. See below" (Tweet). Retrieved 1 May 2022– via Twitter.
24. Oyeleke, Sodiq. "2023: Again, PDP adjusts dates for primaries". The Punch . Retrieved 30 July 2022.
25. Johnson, Dayo; Ojomoyela, Rotimi; Abubakar, Shina; Ogunnaike, James; Adegbite, Ademola. "S/WEST PRIMARIES: Mimiko causes upsets as Ondo senators lose tickets, Fayose men gain upper hand in Ekiti". Vanguard . Retrieved 11 August 2022. In Ekiti Central, Lateef Ajijola defeated Henry Kayode Ojo for the senatorial ticket while Funso Ayeni routed Kehinde Agboola as candidate for Ekiti North.
26. Oluwole, Josiah. "How APC barred journalists from covering senatorial primaries in Ekiti". Premium Times . Retrieved 11 August 2022.
27. "IPOB's Sit-At-Home Forces PDP To Shift Primaries In South East". Daily Trust . Retrieved 30 July 2022.
28. Oyeleke, Sodiq. "2023: Again, PDP adjusts dates for primaries". The Punch . Retrieved 30 July 2022.
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30. Oyeleke, Sodiq. "2023: Again, PDP adjusts dates for primaries". The Punch . Retrieved 30 July 2022.
31. "Senatorial Ambition: Fayose double-crossed me, says Olusola-Eleka". Peoples Gazette . News Agency of Nigeria . Retrieved 11 August 2022.
32. "Ex-Ekiti Deputy Governor, Olusola-Eleka withdraws from senatorial race". The Guardian . Retrieved 11 August 2022.
33. Nejo, Abiodun. "Olujimi gets Ekiti South PDP return ticket to Senate". The Punch . Retrieved 11 August 2022.
34. "Olujimi emerges PDP flag bearer for Ekiti South as Fayose's man steps down - Peoples Gazette". Peoples Gazette . News Agency of Nigeria. 27 May 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
35. Adeleye, Maxwell. "Ayo Fayose: When Not To Fight". Vanguard . Retrieved 11 August 2022.
36. Ani, Emmanuel. "Ekiti South Senatorial poll: Olujimi, Eleka condemn Fayose's alleged support for APC candidate, Adaramodu". Daily Post . Retrieved 16 January 2023.
37. Afolabi, Ayodele. "Olujimi, Adaramodu in fierce battle for Ekiti South Senatorial election". The Guardian . Retrieved 6 February 2023.