Ekiti 2026: Fayose, Fayemi, Oni’s Loyalists Join ADC, Vow to Unseat Gov Oyebanji 

  Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti  

Political situation in Ekiti State seems cloudy as loyalists to former Governors Ayodele Fayose, Kayode Fayemi and Segun Oni, have officially joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in an effort to complicate the electoral fortunes of the incumbent governor, Biodun Oyebanji in next year’s gubernatorial election in the state. The trio of Fayose of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Oni of Social Democratic Party (SDP) had earlier thrown their weight behind Oyebanji, declaring him as the only candidate to steer the wheel of the state till 2030. However, some of their loyalists have come together in Ado-Ekiti to officially unveil the ADC ahead of the state and general election in 2026 and 2027 respectively.

These individuals included former Deputy Governor, Chief of Staff, Secretary to the State Government and Head of Service under Fayose, Professor Kolapo Eleka, Dipo Anisulowo, Modupe Alade and Gbenga Faseluka.Among them was former Commissioner for Information under Fayemi, Akin Omole; former Deputy Governor and Secretary to the State Government under Segun Oni, Sikiru Lawal and Ambassador Dare Bejide, former Speaker of Ekiti House of Assembly, Gboyega Aribisogan, and former commissioner, Chief Segun Akinwumi among others.

Speaking with journalists in Ado-Ekiti after the event that pulled thousands across the 16 local governments areas of the state, Eleka, who is the Ekiti ADC Stakeholders Coordinator, described the party as the only coalition that would save Nigerians from the claws of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Biodun Oyebanji.He said the party, under the leadership of former Senate President, David Mark, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, former Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, among others, was ready to take the country out of the hands of those leaders he described as corrupt, intimidating and un-visionary.

His words: “ADC is the way, it’s the most meaningful party because we have the intention to cater for the interest of the Nigerians. We have an ideology and we are following it.”Most of our leaders in other parties formed this together so that we can unseat the leaders making us face hell at the national and state levels. We have what it takes  to revive our economy, we must come together, we must avail ourselves for the betterment of Nigeria.”Leaders of this party are like-minded individuals and citizens of Nigeria who mean well for the interest of Nigeria.

They have shown the core value of transparency, accountably. They know the policy that can make things work for Nigerians because we are tired of dead parties.”Let’s be united, we are not pursuing shadow but real things and with these calibre of leaders, they know the way, they have the influence to make decisions that will lead to the betterment of Nigerians. This is a winning coalition, to say no to one party system and intimidation.”Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, represented by Professor Bayo Fakunle appreciated Ekiti residents for their support during the National Convention of his former party in 2019 and 2022, while also calling on them to support the leadership of ADC for the growth and development of the country.