Ekiti guber: We’ll resist politicians’ attempts to import violence — Oyebanji 

•..warns political aides against hobnobbing with opponents 

•..as Bamidele cautions against attack on governor over FG roads 

Ahead of the 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State, Governor Biodun Oyebanji has vowed to resist attempts by some political actors to import violence into the state to achieve their ambitions.

The governor, who revealed that he is aware of plots by some unnamed politicians, especially those in the All Progressives Congress (APC), to cause violence in the state, added that the administration would do everything possible to sustain the peace and development being witnessed in the state.

Oyebanji spoke on Thursday during the official presentation of the expression of interest and nomination forms purchased for him by the Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti (EKSU) Alumni Solidarity Group for BAO ahead of the October 27, 2025, governorship primaries of the APC.

He lauded the efforts of the alumni association in obtaining the governorship forms for him, promising them not to disappoint members and people of the state in his quest to offer developmental programmes through his shared prosperity agenda for the state.

Expressing optimism of winning the forthcoming governorship primary of the party, the governor warned political office holders and members of his cabinet against frolicking with opponents, saying, “You can’t be working with GLO and be expecting salaries from MTN.”

According to him, “These desperados are not interested in the Government, they are not interested in you, they are only interested in their pockets. If they are popular, they should go to another party and contest. I live in peace, but I’m not going to allow anyone to take this platform for granted. 

“We won’t allow anyone to import violence into Ekiti. We are aware of their plans to bring political thugs, but we will not allow them to take away the peace we are witnessing in Ekiti.

“They have been giving money to some people to obtain the APC nomination forms so that after their defeat at the primaries, they will go to court, but God who did it then in 2022, will do it again.

“The people following this person are not APC members because he has not contributed anything to the development of the party; he has never added to the welfare of the party. He has rubbished the party several times in the past.”

On the reports of some political aides working for his opponent in the contest, Oyebanji said that he would be firmer in flushing them out from the government after his cabinet dissolution penultimate week.

The governor, who was furious over the act of disloyalty by some party members and appointees, said he would no longer tolerate their actions and activities within his cabinet.

“Can you work in Glo and take a salary in MTN? Those of you that are appointees and collecting money from the government but still supporting the opposition because of the money you are collecting from them, we are coming for you. We are not tolerating any nonsense again in this party, it is what you do you will eat from, no more sentiments or stakeholders’ considerations,” he said.

Speaking, the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, condemned critics of the poor condition of federal roads in Ekiti, noting that Governor Oyebanji has initiated efforts in the last few months towards the construction of the roads.

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Bamidele, representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, who spoke virtually, reiterated his support for the governor’s re-election, commending the alumni association for purchasing the nomination form for the governor.

Bamidele said, “In Ekiti State, politics has begun, you should be waiting for anything, they can tell you that the Governor has been flown out of Ekiti on health grounds, that he’s fighting his wife, be prepared.

“Social media practice is largely unregulated in Nigeria. Those people holding him (Oyebanji) responsible for the state of federal roads are being mischievous.

“As far as the Governor is concerned, he came to Abuja several times and led us to the office of relevant stakeholders to discuss the state of federal roads.

“Some don’t know this, some know this, but they are just being mischievous as a result of the moving train in the state. We are coming to that to reduce the threat of social media, and the Senate will do something about that; it’s become a threat to the peace of the country.”

In his remarks, the Director General of EKSU Alumni Solidarity Group for BAO, Dipo Bamisaye, said the decision of the alumni to purchase the forms for the governor was a result of his giant strides in the state across all sectors.

“We are glad that one of the alumni of the school is making us proud. The reason for this gathering is vast and aggressively fulfilling the vision of the creation of the university.

“This is not a campaign; we have decided to raise funds not only for the nomination form but to encourage him in ensuring his second-term bid is sealed.

“We have reviewed his political performance in the last 30 months, and his giant strides have made way for growth and development of the state.

“He has increased subvention to all tertiary institutions, which is the reason we have a stable calendar in EKSU and other institutions.

“It’s noteworthy to say that Oyebanji is rewriting the script of leadership with empathy and sympathy for the development of the state,” he said.

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