Authorities in Ekiti State have intensified action against rising drug abuse, as stakeholders demand urgent establishment of rehabilitation centres and stronger family intervention to contain the growing crisis.

At a community outreach in Efon-Alaaye on Tuesday, government officials, health experts and traditional leaders raised alarm over the social and health damage caused by substance abuse, warning that the trend is fast eroding family structures and fuelling crime.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Niyi Adebayo, described drug abuse as a direct threat to society. He urged parents to pay close attention to behavioural changes in their children, stressing that early detection can prevent long-term consequences.

The outreach, held at the King’s Palace Town Hall, drew a cross-section of stakeholders who spoke with unusual urgency. Conversations moved beyond awareness to practical gaps, especially the absence of rehabilitation facilities in the state.

Mrs. Olapeju Babafemi, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, said the government designed the programme to confront what she called a public health emergency. She linked substance abuse to broken homes, school dropouts and rising insecurity, but maintained that recovery remains achievable with the right support systems.

Medical experts at the event did not soften their message. Consultant gastroenterologist, Prof. Deji Ajayi warned that prolonged drug use damages vital organs and increases the risk of cancers and mental illness. He argued that prevention remains the most effective defence, but insisted that treatment centres must be available for those already affected.

Clinical psychologist, Dr. Dotun Ajiboye drew attention to the behavioural impact, noting that substance dependency alters judgement and fuels violence, neglect and financial instability within households. He called for early psychological intervention to break the cycle.

Addiction physician, Dr. Abayomi Oshatimi said treatment requires structured care, including detoxification, therapy and medication. He added that stigma continues to block many victims from seeking help, a barrier he believes must be dismantled through public education.

Mr. Dayo Apata, the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, took a harder line. He described substance abuse as a root cause of wider social breakdown, recounting cases where drug use cost individuals employment opportunities. He called for sustained public enlightenment and collective responsibility in protecting young people.

The State Commander of the NDLEA, Mr. Sunday Aina, pointed to a critical gap, the lack of a single rehabilitation centre in Ekiti. He urged the government to act swiftly, warning that enforcement alone cannot solve a problem driven by addiction and social pressures.

Community leaders echoed the concern. Mr. Kola Ajumobi of the Efon Development League said the group would integrate drug awareness into youth programmes. Traditional ruler Oba Emmanuel Adesanya Aladejare pledged continued support for advocacy efforts, while lawmakers and senior officials present promised to sustain momentum.

Ekiti Moves Against Drug Abuse, Stakeholders Push for Rehab Centres

By the end of the session, one message stood clear. Stakeholders agree that Ekiti faces a growing drug abuse problem that demands more than rhetoric. They want policy, infrastructure and community action to move in the same direction, before the damage deepens further.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ekiti North Federal Constituency 2, Hon. Ibrahim Kunle Olarewaju, on consecutive days appeared at the Federal High Court in Abuja, throwing his weight behind Governor Biodun Oyebanji as legal disputes threaten the party’s internal stability ahead of the next electoral cycle.

Hon. Olarewaju, a lawyer, joined the Ekiti State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dayo Apata (SAN), during proceedings linked to suits filed by Bimbo Olawunmi and allies of Kayode Ojo. The cases challenge aspects of the party’s candidate selection process, raising fresh tensions within the APC in Ekiti State.

His presence in court comes at a critical point in his own political campaign, a move observers within the party interpret as a calculated show of loyalty and alignment with the governor’s political direction.

Speaking to associates after the court sitting, Hon. Olarewaju framed his decision as a defence of electoral integrity and party cohesion. He drew from his experience during the party primaries three years ago, where he contested outcomes he believed did not reflect the will of party members.

“This is about protecting the mandate of the people and ensuring that legal distractions do not derail the progress already underway in Ekiti,” he said.

Governor Oyebanji’s administration has anchored its agenda on continuity and economic expansion, with ongoing investments in infrastructure, agriculture, and education. Supporters argue that prolonged legal battles could slow the pace of these reforms.

Hon. Olarewaju has also intensified mobilisation efforts across Ido-Osi, Moba, and Ilejemeje local government areas, projecting a strong voter base for the APC in the constituency. Party insiders say his dual focus on grassroots engagement and high-level legal support reflects a broader strategy to consolidate influence ahead of the elections.

While the court is yet to deliver its ruling, the outcome of the suits could shape the APC’s internal dynamics in Ekiti and test the cohesion of its leading figures.

For now, Hon. Olarewaju’s courtroom presence signals more than routine party support, it underscores the stakes within Ekiti’s political landscape as alliances tighten and legal scrutiny deepens.

A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Kolawole Davidson Akinlayo, has congratulated Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji following a Federal High Court ruling affirming him as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State.

Hon. Akinlayo, who represents Ekiti North Federal Constituency II, described the judgment as a clear endorsement of democratic order and party authority, stressing that it validates the APC’s right to determine its membership and candidates without external interference.

In a statement issued shortly after the ruling, the lawmaker said the decision has energised party members and residents across Moba, Ilejemeje, and Ido/Osi local government areas, who he noted have thrown their weight behind the governor’s leadership.

He said the court’s position strengthens confidence in Mr Oyebanji’s administration, which he credited for maintaining a focus on grassroots development and inclusive governance.

“This judgment affirms our collective belief in justice and reinforces the stability needed to sustain ongoing development across Ekiti,” Hon. Akinlayo said.

The federal lawmaker also called for unity within the APC, urging stakeholders and supporters to rally behind the governor as preparations for the 2026 election gather pace.

The court ruling, which settles lingering questions around the party’s ticket, places Mr Oyebanji in a stronger political position as he moves towards seeking a fresh mandate under the APC platform.