Ekiti: Incumbency and off-season polls

As processes that would culminate into the governorship elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states begin to take shape, ‘YOMI AYELESO writes on how the major political parties and other stakeholders are warming up for the off-season election in Ekiti State.

The governorship elections coming up in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states are litmus tests for all stakeholders in the nation’s political space. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties and other vested interests look forward to the conduct of elections that would serve as the real cornerstones for the 2027 general election.

Though the first of such governorship elections comes up in Anambra in November, the tempo over that of Ekiti slated for next year is rising by the day. There is rising level of realignment of forces by the major political gladiators with the accompanying changes in the likely dynamics that could play out at the poll. The intrigues cut across the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the African Democratic Congress (ADC). But the first of such offseason elections are scheduled for August this year in 12 states, where bye-elections will be held in some constituencies across the country. The leading political parties are facing post-primary crisis as some aggrieved aspirants and their supporters have kicked against the choice of certain candidates on the ground that the process undermined due process as contained in the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended).

Following his statewide endorsement, Governor Biodun Oyebanji on Monday took a step further to visit the state Secretariat of the APC where he officially informed members of the State Working Committee (SWC) on his decision to contest for the next year’s poll. The governor’s decision is perceived by observers as part of the strategies to ultimately consolidate the widespread support received so far across the state. According to most analysts, the development means he remains the sole candidate for the APC ticket as he awaits the ratification at a primary of the party.

Also, his official declaration has further confirmed the general impressions in the state that it would be a tall order for the opposition parties, especially the PDP and ADC, to dislodge the governor. Less than three months to the primaries, both parties are still battling to resolve all issues related to the structures before deciding who will be their flag bearers, while the APC, all things remaining equal, might have decided who will be the party’s candidate in the June 20, 2026 poll.

Meanwhile, on Monday, Oyebanji shed light on his second term bid: to consolidate on the gains of his first administration and to continue delivering quality governance to the state. His affirmation came against the backdrop of the dizzying endorsement he received especially from traditional rulers, professional bodies, civil servants, artisans, youth groups, market women, drivers’ unions and political leaders across party lines. Oyebanji said: “Let me also assure you that there is no crisis in the leadership of APC, our topmost leader is former Governor Niyi Adebayo, followed by former Governor Kayode Fayemi. There is no crisis in the leadership. I will also use this opportunity to inform you that I have listened to you and I am formally informing the party that I will run for a second term. So, I plead for your support and prayers and by His grace I will continue to respect you.”

In ADC, a former Secretary to the State Government in Ekiti State, Ambassador Dare Bejide, has thrown his hat into the ring ahead of next year’s election. Bejide, a former Nigerian ambassador to Canada, defected from the PDP with a promise to reposition the state. He expressed optimism that the ADC would defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the June 20, 2026 governorship election over what he described as the lacklustre performance of the APC government. “Having regard to my antecedents I believe I can still do more for the people in terms of the empowerment of the people, particularly the youths and the vulnerable women,” he said.

Matters arising

The main bowl of the iconic Ekiti Parapo Pavilion located in the heart of Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, was filled to the brim with residents, party faithful, political actors and stakeholders within and outside the state who thronged the arena to show solidarity and support for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and most importantly, Governor Oyebanji ahead of the 2026 election in Ekiti.

From the arrays of support groups, to artisans, and different associations, the spectacle at the venue of the event can only be described as an unprecedented political statement in the history of the state, which points to the quality of leadership being provided by Governor Oyebanji. Recall that the INEC has fixed June 20, 2026 for the governorship election, while the timeline for political parties to conduct their primaries in selecting candidates is slated for between October 20 and November 10, 2025, less than four months from now.

Since the release of the timetable for the election, the political space in the state has been busy and alive with a series of activities from politicians, political parties and other stakeholders ahead of the poll.

Noticeably, in the last 20 months no fewer than 300 groups and associations have declared openly their support for the re-election of the incumbent governor Oyebanji to continue in office. From artisans to prominent unions and most prominently political stakeholders in the state, they have spoken in one voice that the governor deserved to be returned to office for a second term. They hinged their decision on the numerous interventions and achievements of the governor in the area of education, infrastructure, health, agriculture, human capital development and social welfare.

These and many other reasons made the leaders from all walks of life, and residents, storm the state capital on Monday for the open endorsement of the governor and his deputy, Mrs Monisade Afuye, ahead of the 2026 governorship election under the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The ranks of the ruling APC also swelled at the event, with the defection of former Senate Minority Leader and chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Biodun Olujimi, former Ekiti State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Obafemi Adewale, SAN, and a member of the state Assembly, Hon. Babatunde Omolayo, together with their supporters.

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In his address full of encomiums for Oyebanji, the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, said the combined forces of President Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji will catapult Ekiti’s economy to enviable height if given a beneficial second term opportunity. “Governor Oyebanji is not just winning this election, but he must win overwhelmingly. With the crowd I am seeing here today, I know you are going to support him in the primary and the election is coming up next year. All the 23 governors in APC have endorsed President Tinubu and we are also coming here in Ekiti to do same for Governor Oyebanji,” Aiyedatiwa said.

Speaking, Fayose, a PDP leader, described the endorsement as historic, saying that the gathering was unique, “as all former governors of this state, leader, national and state assembly members endorse the governor and President Tinubu unanimously.” Fayose, who hailed Oyebanji for character and performance, told the gathering, “I want to join you officially to publicly endorse President Tinubu and our own Governor Oyebanji and his deputy, Mrs Afuye, for a second term. I am here openly; I will not join the APC, but I will support Oyebanji. Let him win in all 16 local government areas, just as I once did.”

Lending credence to what Fayose affirmed, former governors Segun Oni and Niyi Adebayo maintained that Tinubu deserved being endorsed because Nigeria of our dream is gradually taking roots under the APC federal government. They described Governor Oyebanji as a good and marketable product, whose political mastery and ingenuity are bringing all political tendencies together in Ekiti State, saying Ekiti must be part of Tinubu’s revolution.

In his submission, Senator Bamidele described the endorsement as apt and reasonable for President Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji to consolidate democracy gains for Nigerians, so that the generation yet unborn can praise the current leadership. Bamidele said, “President Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji have shown how to be humble in position of leadership. They showed how to descend from the Olympian heights to the level of the people. They deserved being ratified for the second term. President Tinubu had taken hard decisions. This he did for the sake of all Nigerians and generation yet unborn.”

The APC National Secretary, Senator Basiru, saluted Ekiti politicians for endorsing President Tinubu to lead the country till 2031, saying this solidarity was a confirmation that the current APC-led federal government has not disappointed Nigerians. The APC secretary, who counselled the Yoruba people against treachery, appreciated Governor Oyebanji for uplifting the bar of governance in Ekiti to combat poverty, unemployment and other socioeconomic maladies confronting the citizens. After receiving the endorsement letters, he said: “I have received the letters that President Bola Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji and his Deputy should continue till 2030 and 2031. Though, in law, we are to conduct a primary for all interested governorship aspirants, which we promise will be free and fair. With this endorsement coming from the leader of APC in Ekiti State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, stakeholders and key leaders of the opposition, we are going to relay your position to the leadership of our party. I want to thank you for supporting our party.”

Oyebanji appreciated Ekiti people for the recognition of Tinubu, who he said meant well for Ekiti State and had been supportive of the cause of the state. The governor, who urged the people not to yield to entreaties to join any coalition, said, “Don’t accept calls to destabilise or truncate development in Ekiti. There is no space for any opposition here because President Tinubu has done well for us in Ekiti.” He sued APC members for peace, saying, “I call for unity, I call for love. We are in one party, the party is the APC. Whoever is not with us today can be with us tomorrow. Our doors are wide open.”

With less than four months to the primaries in the APC, many political analysts have argued that the open display of support and endorsements for the incumbent by stakeholders would in no doubt have implications on the outcome of the next year’s poll. The opposition parties, especially the PDP, and the coalition platform ADC, who are regrouping ahead of the poll, would face herculean task to remove the governor from office. Apart from the challenge of sourcing for credible and acceptable candidates to fly their tickets, the opposition would need to do extra work in convincing the voters against Oyebanji, considering his level of acceptance among the residents and the political gladiators.