Ekiti 2025: Olawunmi picks APC form, says she can’t be intimidated

A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abimbola Olawunmi, has obtained the party’s Expression of Interest and Nomination forms ahead of the governorship primary.

Her declaration of interest has countered claims that the incumbent Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, would be adopted as the consensus candidate.

Speaking with journalists, Olawunmi dismissed suggestions that she was being pushed into the race by some party chieftains to play a spoiler role.

She said, “If you mention my name anywhere in Ekiti, people will rise up and say she has always been a consistent voice.

“Even during Ayodele Fayose’s time, I was arrested and imprisoned for one week because I criticised him. I had the same experience under Kayode Fayemi. I have never kept quiet when leaders fail.”

The aspirant, who noted that she is the only challenger to Governor Oyebanji, declared that the state has little to show for the huge allocations it has received from the Federation Account.

“For now, I am the only challenger the incumbent is having.

“Why do I feel at this time it is important to challenge the status quo? Because what we feel is happening in Ekiti State is not right.

“Our roads, schools, hospitals, our infrastructure are nothing to write home about. And despite all the allocations coming to the state, there is nothing commensurate to show for it.”

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“Since the president was inaugurated in 2023, the allocation coming to my state tripled.

“By the end of June 2025, when we analysed what had come in, we discovered the Oyebanji administration had received over ₦500 billion in three years. But when you come to Ekiti State, you hardly find anything that reflects that.”

Olawunmi, who alleged that a cabal has been running the affairs of the state, said she was determined to secure the APC ticket.

“No man can intimidate me. I have always been a voice for women.
“I believe that if the men have failed us, the women can bring the desired change to the state.”

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