Adebayo Adenrele
The push for Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s re-election in the forthcoming 2026 gubernatorial poll gathered fresh momentum as top leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, including former Governor Kayode Fayemi and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, rallied support for the State’s helsman at the Party’s stakeholders’ meeting.
Addressing party members in Iyin-Ekiti on Friday, Fayemi urged stakeholders to intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the October 27 APC governorship primary election, noting that Oyebanji had proven his capacity to deliver on governance.
Fayemi stated that politics beyond Primary election is unpredictable, urging stakeholders to gather all wards in the state and ensure they are on the same page before the governorship poll.
Recall that Oyebanji, on Wednesday had submitted his gubernatorial nomination form at APC Secretariat, Abuja with hundreds of supporters in his entourage across various sectors.
“We should go ward by ward. Let’s bring Oyebanji back to office. If he disappoints us, the cycle of politics is very short. But from what I have seen, he will not disappoint.
“I appeal to those holding grudges against the governor to calm down. Whatever gaps exist, we will fix them. We must not be complacent. Let us return to our wards and mobilise diligently”. He said
The Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele on behalf of the National Assembly caucus, reiterated their collective support for Oyebanji, stressing that unity within the party remained paramount for success.
Bamidele, who highlighted his own contributions to grassroots development through health centres and mini-stadia across Ekiti communities, appealed to APC members to work toward strengthening Ekiti’s influence in national politics by ensuring ranking lawmakers emerge from the state.
“We don’t profit from crisis as a party. We achieve more when no one bothers about who takes the glory.
“On behalf of my colleagues, we reaffirm our unalloyed support for Governor Oyebanji. Those who criticise him are not surprising, but at the end of the day, they will align. You don’t change a winning team.”
In his remarks, Governor Oyebanji dismissed what he described as false narratives aimed at dividing the party, insisting that his focus remains on peace, inclusiveness and continuity of development.
He praised President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing reforms, noting that Ekiti would continue to align with the Federal Government’s development agenda.
“A lot of lies are being peddled to separate us. I don’t believe those lies and we must not spread them. We are democrats; everyone has the right to their opinion. I don’t want us to suspend anybody, we will need them after the primary.
“One major bane of underdevelopment is lack of continuity. In Ekiti, we are pursuing sustainable projects without taking loans. I will not be distracted by naysayers; their criticisms only show that we are doing something worth talking about”.
