Ekiti 2026: 130 Yoruba groups back Oyebanji re-election bid

A coalition of 130 pan-Yoruba groups under the umbrella of the Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movements (AYDM) has thrown its weight behind Governor Abiodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), endorsing him for a second term in office ahead of the 2026 governorship poll.

The endorsement was formalised through a communiqué issued at the end of the coalition’s parley held in Ikeja, Lagos.

The AYDM described Governor Oyebanji as a “beacon of hope” not only for Ekiti State but for the Yoruba Nation and Nigeria at large.

Speaking at the event, Adewale Adeoye praised Oyebanji for his performance and leadership style.

Describing the Ekiti governor as a true Omoluabi, a Yoruba concept of exemplary character, Adeoye noted that Oyebanji had made significant progress in governance, despite the state’s limited access to federal allocations.

“Ekiti State, with a population of 4 million, receives one of the lowest federal allocations, yet Governor Oyebanji has utilised the limited resources effectively to deliver impactful governance and infrastructure,” Adeoye said.

He further urged Yoruba communities across the South West to organise themselves into strategic political blocs and engage more actively in shaping the region’s political and economic future. He highlighted issues of food insecurity and declining moral values as key concerns, stressing the need for people to assert themselves democratically.

The AYDM, in its communiqué, expressed satisfaction with the recurrent and capital projects executed by the Oyebanji administration, especially in sectors such as agriculture, education, tourism, youth empowerment, and human development.

The coalition vowed to mobilise extensively to ensure a decisive victory for Governor Oyebanji in 2026, directing all its affiliate groups across the South West to prepare for mass mobilisation once the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) lifts the campaign ban.

“As soon as the ban on the 2026 campaign is lifted, all affiliate members should begin house-to-house, door-to-door campaigns to ensure victory for Mr Abiodun Oyebanji with a percentage never before seen in Ekiti electoral history,” the communiqué read.

The AYDM concluded by reiterating its commitment to supporting Oyebanji’s re-election bid, saying the governor’s leadership has become a model for other states to emulate.

Source: The Sun