*Promises to break Second-Term jinx
From Taiye Joseph
There was excitement across Ekiti State on Monday as Governor Biodun Oyebanji, was affirmed as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), for the June 20, 2026 election.
The affirmation, which took place at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion in Ado-Ekiti, saw 885 delegates from the 177 wards across the state unanimously endorse the governor’s candidacy through a voice vote.
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The motion for affirmation was moved by Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, and seconded by the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye.
In his acceptance speech, Oyebanji expressed deep gratitude and promised to “break the second-term jinx” while intensifying efforts to deliver his “shared prosperity agenda” to eradicate poverty and neglect in the state.
“Silver or gold, we have none, but we promise to deliver on the contract we signed with our people,” Oyebanji said. “This consensus marks a new chapter in our political history, an end to the rancour that often divides us and a signal of political maturity.”
The Governor thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for promoting internal democracy in the APC, and appreciated the Progressive Governors Forum, led by Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, for their support. He also extended an olive branch to disqualified aspirant, Engineer Kayode Ojo, and others, urging unity within the party.
“I have no grudge against anyone. Every politics is local, and we must all return to our wards to connect with the people and work for victory,” he advised.
Oyebanji also praised Mrs. Atinuke Omolayo, who voluntarily withdrew from the race, describing her action as a display of political maturity and discipline. Omolayo said her decision was in recognition of the governor’s good performance, stressing that “no ambition should be taken personal—it must serve the people’s interest.”
Supervising the affirmation, Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, who chaired the process, declared the exercise credible and lawful. He emphasised that the consensus method was “not a product of imposition, but a reflection of unity and mutual understanding among stakeholders.”
“With Governor Oyebanji as our candidate, we are confident of victory in 2026,” Ododo declared.
Dignitaries at the event included former Governors Niyi Adebayo and Kayode Fayemi, First Lady, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, Deputy Governor Mrs. Monisade Afuye, and several state and national lawmakers.
