Ahead of the 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State, the state governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has accepted to run for a second term following a series of endorsements by party leaders and stakeholders in the state.
Oyebanji who made this known during the statewide endorsement organised for him and President Bola Tinubu for a second term in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, on Monday.
The event was attended by prominent leaders and within stage, including Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Dr Ajibola Basiru; three former governors, Ayodele Fayose, Chief Segun Oni and Chief Niyi Adebayo; and Senate leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele.
Also in attendance were the chairman of the Nigeria Port Authority (NPA), Senator Dayo Adeyeye; Chairman, Federal Housing Authority, Oyetunde Ojo; all National Assembly members from the state, among others.
Two PDP leaders, former minority leader of the Senate, Senator Biodun Olujimi; a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Obafemi Adewale and the House of Assembly member, Hon. Babatunde Omotola from the Social Democratic Party, defected to the APC at the event.
The motion for the endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term was moved by Senator Bamidele which was seconded by House of Representatives member, Femi Bamisile, while that of Governor Oyebanji was moved by the speaker of the state House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye and his deputy, Bolaji Olagbaju seconded the motion.
The visibly elated Oyebanji revealed that he has received endorsement from over 300 groups and associations in the last two years, noting that he has decided to throw his hat into the ring in the contest for next year’s poll.
According to him, his administration in the last three years has been able to fulfil his campaign promises in line with the six-pillar agenda which has positively impacted the lives of the people.
He noted that his administration has been able to make an impact in the state due to the bold and audacious reforms of President Tinubu, which he said has freed more resources to the sub-nationals.
Oyebanji asked the people of the state who are yet to register for their permanent voters card (PVC) to take advantage of the registration exercise starting next month, ” so as for us to demonstrate our love for him through our votes in 2027.”
Also speaking, the Governor of Ondo State, Aiyedatiwa, declared that Governor Oyebanji in the last three years has demonstrated capacity and commitment towards the development of the state.
Aiyedatiwa added that no fewer than 22 governors under the APC have declared their support for the governor’s re-election so as to consolidate his achievements in the state.
“I am here today in solidarity with my brother and friend, Governor Biodun Oyebanji and to declare my total support for his second term because he has touched lives across all sectors of the economy.
“Let me inform our people in Ekiti State that all of us in the Progressive Governors Forum are in support for the governor to continue in office till 2030,” he said.
On his part, the Senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, described the forthcoming 2026 governorship election as a payback time for the governor due to his leadership qualities which ensured peace and development in the state.
The senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District explained that the governor in the last three years has demonstrated his capacity in uniting the leaders who were hitherto blocked from contributing their quota for the state.
He appealed to the people not to be deceived by the antics of some individuals who were holding nocturnal meetings in a bid to lure them into the African Democratic Congress (ADC), saying that those people are enemies of the state and country.
The senate leader said, “This election in Ekiti is a payback time for our lovely governor who has led with humility and love since 2022.
We are in support of him and we will ensure his victory.
“The renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu is really working in our favour in Ekiti and we are ready to support him for a second term in 2026.
“It is our project in Ekiti, don’t listen to anybody and don’t allow yourself to be deceived by those working secretly with ADC, we know them, they are doing it underground.
Don’t be deceived, they want to destroy your lives.”
The trio of former governors, Adebayo Fayose and Oni disclosed that Governor Oyebanji has united all the former governors through his simplicity and inclusive leadership style, declaring their support for his second term in office.
They noted that the state in the last three years has witnessed development across sectors with the governor’s interventions through his policies and programmes across the 16 Local Government Areas of the state.
On his part, the National Secretary of APC, Dr Basiru commended stakeholders in the state for the endorsement of President Tinubu and the governor, adding that it is a testament to the governor’s performance in the state.
He said, “Even though we will conduct free and fair primary elections in APC, with what we have seen in Ekiti State today, we will go back to our national leaders and convey your message of endorsements to them.”