Nigeria, June 21 -- Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been re-elected as the governor of Ekiti State, overcoming a field of 13 challengers and reinforcing his political dominance in a state long known for its unpredictable electoral history.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Mr Oyebanji the winner of Saturday's governorship election after he secured the highest number of valid votes cast across the state's 16 local government areas.

According to the results announced by the electoral commission, Mr Oyebanji polled 319,224 votes to defeat his closest rivals, Oluwole Oluyede of the Peoples Democratic Party with 40, 533 votes, and African Democratic Congress's candidate, Dare Be...