How data, tech secured Oyebanji’s re

Political analysts and campaign insiders have attributed a significant part of Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s resounding victory in the just-concluded Ekiti State governorship election to a technology-driven campaign strategy that combined grassroots mobilisation with sophisticated voter-targeting techniques.

At the centre of the operation was Monan Innovation, a political consulting and campaign management firm engaged by the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate to strengthen voter outreach, intelligence gathering and campaign logistics across the state.

The firm deployed a data-based campaign model that relied on voter research, field intelligence and direct voter engagement, marking a departure from the traditional campaign methods often associated with elections in the country.

Campaign sources disclosed that Monan Innovation commenced operations months before the election, deploying personnel across the 16 local government areas of the state to identify registered voters, gather community-level intelligence and establish direct communication channels with the electorate.

The exercise, according to political insiders, provided the campaign with detailed insights into voter demographics, public sentiment and community-specific concerns, enabling campaign managers to tailor messages and interventions to local realities.

Speaking on the firm’s role, the Chief Executive Officer of Monan Innovation, Mrs Moji Yakubu, said the objective was to move beyond conventional political mobilisation and adopt a more strategic, evidence-based approach to voter engagement.

According to her, the firm’s methodology integrates pre-campaign research, campaign monitoring and post-election analysis, ensuring that campaign decisions are guided by reliable data rather than assumptions.

“Our approach is centred on understanding the mindset of the electorate and helping campaign teams make informed, data-driven decisions. This enables resources to be deployed more effectively and improves voter engagement,” Yakubu said.

She explained that the firm’s research framework was designed to identify voter trends, gauge public perception and determine the most effective communication channels for reaching different segments of the electorate.

The technology-driven strategy also earned commendation from Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, who described Monan Innovation as a team of innovative young professionals leveraging technology to strengthen electoral campaigns.

Bamidele noted that the firm’s assignment involved identifying registered voters and establishing direct contact with them, particularly at a stage when the campaign had moved beyond rallies and mass mobilisation.

According to him, the voter-mapping initiative enabled the APC campaign to engage verified voters more effectively and build stronger communication links with communities across the state.

Beyond voter engagement, Monan Innovation also introduced modern campaign infrastructure that became one of the most visible features of the governor’s re-election campaign.

Among the innovations was the deployment of automatic remote-controlled mobile stage trucks fitted with giant LED screens, designed to take campaign activities directly to communities while reducing the logistical burden associated with conventional rallies.

Yakubu said the technology allowed campaign teams to move quickly from one location to another, with the trucks transforming into fully functional campaign stages within minutes and reverting to mobile units after events.

The mobile stage units accompanied Governor Oyebanji throughout his statewide campaign tours, serving as platforms for speeches, voter interaction and the display of campaign achievements, policy initiatives and other multimedia content.

The technology was also deployed during the APC mega rally in Ado-Ekiti attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima and other senior party leaders.

According to Yakubu, the LED-equipped platforms enhanced voter engagement by providing wider visibility for campaign messages and facilitating real-time coverage of campaign activities.

Supporters of the governor maintain that the combination of data-driven voter management, strategic communication, grassroots mobilisation and innovative campaign infrastructure significantly boosted the APC’s visibility and outreach across the state.

With Oyebanji securing a convincing mandate at the polls, the Ekiti governorship election may represent a turning point in Nigeria’s political landscape, highlighting the growing influence of data analytics, technology and research-driven decision-making in modern election campaigns.