Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has brushed aside criticism directed at his administration on social media, declaring that online commentary does not determine election outcomes.
The governor made the remarks on Sunday while addressing supporters following his victory in the June 20, 2026 governorship election, which secured him a second term in office.
Oyebanji argued that elections are won through performance and direct engagement with the people rather than through debates and sentiments expressed on digital platforms.
“There are no polling units on social media,” the governor said.
Using farming as an analogy, Oyebanji stated that those who invest time and effort in serving the people eventually reap the rewards of their labour during elections.
“A farmer who has diligently tilled the ground does not interfere on the day of harvest. Some people who have not done anything are busy on social media,” he added.
The governor further maintained that politicians who fail to connect with voters often resort to media appearances and online campaigns to criticise governments instead of engaging with citizens at the grassroots level.
“If you have done well, people will vote for you. But if you don’t have anything to say other than going to media houses to grant interviews and tell lies against the government, stay on social media whipping up sentiments. Yesterday was their day of reckoning,” he said.
Oyebanji recorded a landslide victory in the election, winning all 16 local government areas in Ekiti State.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate polled 319,224 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Wole Oluyede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who secured 40,543 votes.
The candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dare Bejide, came third with 12,872 votes.
