EKITI 2026: Oyebanji Declares Second Term Bid, Pledges Continuity and Party Unity

Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, at the APC Party Secretriat along His Deputy Governor, Monisade Afuye and Other Party Dignitaries

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has officially declared his intention to seek re-election in the 2026 governorship race, anchoring his ambition on performance, popular demand, and the need to consolidate on his administration’s achievements.

Addressing members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Central Working Committee at the party’s state secretariat in Ado-Ekiti on Monday, Oyebanji said he was yielding to the calls from Ekiti people across social, political, and traditional institutions—to continue in office. The declaration came amid growing endorsements from power blocs, including traditional rulers, professional bodies, civil servants, youth groups, and political stakeholders beyond party lines.

“I’ve listened. I’ve consulted. And I am informing the party today, I will run,” the governor said, drawing applause from the party faithful who packed the meeting hall.

Oyebanji, who took office in 2022, insisted that the APC remains united in Ekiti under a clear and respected leadership structure. He reaffirmed the hierarchy within the party, naming former governors Niyi Adebayo and Kayode Fayemi as its top leaders, and dismissed rumours of internal divisions.

The governor said his administration had fulfilled campaign promises made to both the party and the electorate, and would continue to deliver “responsible and responsive governance” if returned for another term.

With less than three years in office, Oyebanji touted his performance as evidence of credibility, describing the wave of support for his re-election bid as a referendum on delivery, not just rhetoric. He praised President Bola Tinubu for policies he said have enabled rapid development in Ekiti, particularly in infrastructure and economic expansion.

He urged citizens to take ownership of the electoral process by collecting their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), warning that without PVCs, your support would amount to nothing. “If you truly want this government to continue, the first step is your PVC. Go and get it,” he said firmly.

Party chairman Sola Elesin described the governor as a stabilising force, crediting his humility and accessibility for the party’s current cohesion and the relative calm within its ranks. He said Oyebanji’s leadership had helped restore public confidence in the APC.

Key government officials, including Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye, Speaker of the House of Assembly Adeoye Aribasoye, Secretary to the State Government Habibat Adubiaro, and other senior aides, were present at the meeting.

Oyebanji, who is expected to face minimal resistance within the party ahead of the primaries, however, extended an open invitation to any interested aspirants, saying the APC under his watch would maintain its commitment to internal democracy.

He also paid a courtesy visit to senior legal figures in the state, including Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) and Mr Dele Adesina (SAN), as part of ongoing consultations.

With his declaration, Oyebanji sets the tone for what is expected to be a closely-watched governorship race, one that could test the strength of incumbency and the staying power of a party still recovering from past internal cracks.