2026: Ekiti South Senatorial District Endorses Oyebanji, Afuye for Second Term

2026: Ekiti South Senatorial District Endorses Oyebanji, Afuye for Second Term

.....Adaramodu, Bamisile, Ojuawo, others back action

As a masterstroke ahead of the 2026 governorship poll in Ekiti State, political heavyweights across Ekiti South Senatorial District in the All Progressives Congress fold, on Monday, endorsed Governor Biodun Oyebanji for second term, to be able to consolidate on the good governance being ushered into the state by his administration.

Endorsed alongside the Governor, was the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, who is  a leader and Chieftain of the APC in Ikere Local Government Area of Ekiti South Senatorial District. 

The leaders and party members,  arrived at the unanimous decision, at a  special meeting of the APC members from the 64 wards in the District, held in Ikere Ekiti, the headquarters of the Senatorial District, on Monday.

They said the decision became expendient to appreciate Governor Oyebanji for elevating the face of development in the state, and for  fostering cohesion and unity among political tendencies across party lines in a manner that was novel in the political history of the State. 

To garnish the event with panache and grandeur , the Senator representing the District and Senate Spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, the House of Representatives representing Ekiti South Federal Constituency II, Hon. Femi Bamisile and his counterpart in constituency 1, AVM Adeniyi Ojuawo, were present, and also mobilised their supporters in large number to the political gathering. 

Moving the endorsement motion, the House of Representatives member, representing Ekiti South Federal Constituency I, AVM Adeniyi Ojuawo, predicated the action on the transformative impact and exceptional leadership prowess Governor Oyebanji has demonstrated in the last two years.

"These two leaders, Governor Oyebanji and Mrs Afuye have done extremely well for Ekiti South. Therefore, we are unanimously saying they should begin to lead Ekiti till 2030, so that they can touch more lives and consolidate the democracy gains for all of us", Ojuawo moved.

At the behest of the party leaders, the Chairman of Ikere Local Government, Hon. Olu Adamolekun, supported the endorsement motion, while the House of Representatives member representing Ekiti South Federal Constituency 2, Femi Bamisile, put the question to party members, and it was accepted with thunderous ovation 

Backing the motion as earlier moved and supported, the Senator representing the District, Yemi Adaramodu, said the duo of Governor Oyebanji and Mrs Afuye suffered with the party while in the trenches, saying the combination remains the best to continue to pilot the affairs of the state beyond 2026.

Senator Adaramodu added that the endorsement was not misplaced on the pedestal of Governor Oyebanji's  superlative performance in the district through good road networks, power supply to some towns, human capital development, allotment of strong political positions and many others. 

"Before now, the nine of us in the National Assembly had earlier agreed that we will allow Governor Oyebanji to rule for eight years. He is very humble, very accessible, very local and ready to touch the lives of the people. The only thing we can do is to support him. The only agenda the south has now is to support and endorse  Governor Oyebanji and Mrs Afuye for second term", Adaramodu said.

Earlier, the APC Senatorial Chairman, Hon. Akindele Akinbobola, appreciated the party members for the initiative, saying the South Senatorial District was proud of the character and performance displayed by Oyebanji and his Deputy in the last two years.

"It was on the strength of this that we from the South said we are glad to  endorse governor Oyebanji and Mrs Afuye to continue with the good work they are doing. We are proud of their achievements. At both local and national scene, they have not disgraced us".

The Chairman, APC Elders' Forum, Ekiti South Senatorial District, Surv Biodun Aluko, said the verdict of endorsement was unanimously and unitedly done by party members across the 64 wards, saying the action was bereft of dissonances and division.

Galvanising support for the motion, Aluko said: "We are proud with the infrastructural strides, human capital development and huge investment committed to education and agriculture, from where Ekiti South benefited. In fact, through Governor Oyebanji's vision, our district had benefited healthcare facility, good road networks and youth empowerment. We appreciate this. 

"We are happy with your vision in appointing our daughter, Mrs Monisade Afuye as the Deputy Governor. She understands the needs of our people. We also endorse her to continue with his Excellency for the second term that will run between 2026 and 2030", he said. 

Surveyor Aluko urged the governor to consider the District for governorship in 2030, having not been chanced to produce the governor since the advent of democracy in 1999, saying the 2030 remains the most appropriate time for the zone to be considered for the plum seat in the spirit of fairness and equity. 

Former National Assembly members, who spoke through Hon Bamidele Faparusi, declared the endorsement as plausible and timely, saying the zone has benefited from the wondrous performance put up by Governor Oyebanji in all spheres of the economy in the last two years.

Speaking on behalf the political appointees from the district, the Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Kehinde Ajobiewe, said the restoration of power supply to Gbonyin and Ekiti East councils, as well as series of road networks being undertaken in the zone, were enough evidence that reinforced their belief in Oyebanji's administration and his endorsement for second term.

Applauding the party members from the district for the unique honour, the State Acting Chairman of the APC, Hon. Sola Elesin, disclosed that the endorsement further amplified the fact that Ekiti people have confidence in the government of governor Oyebanji. 

"Our governor is a man we are all proud of. He has become so popular two years into his administration among the masses. Our governor has not let us down. The South was looking up to something, which is to ensure that Governor Oyebanji and Mrs Afuye continue till 2030 and this shall come to fruition. But be loyal to the party and continue to mobilise for its success", Elesin stated.

Representatives of the driver unions, traders, Okada riders, and commercial  tricyclists, all backed the endorsement, saying they valued the unity existing among all the members of the trade unions in the district and the state at large.

High profile politicians at the event include: Senator Tony Adeniyi, Commissioners for Transport, Kehinde Ajobiewe, Wealth Creation, Jimlas Kayode Fasae, Special Duties, Mr. Dolamu Adeniyi, Public Utilities, Prof Bolaji Aluko, Human Capital Development, Prof Patrick Tedela, former House of Representatives members, Dr. Ife Arowosoge, Hon. Bamidele Faparusi, and Chief Ropo Adesanya, 

Others are: Chairman, Ekiti State Local Government Service Commission , Chief Alaba Abejide, member of LGSC, Febisola Adewale, former Commissioners, Chief Kayode Babade,  Special Advisers, Hon Mary Oso Omotoso, Barr Bayo Idowu, Hon Boluwade, Remi Olorunleke, among others.