As preparations intensify ahead of the 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State, the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has thrown his weight behind the re-election bid of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, describing continuity in governance as the path to sustainable progress.
Speaking in Ado Ekiti on Friday during a “Thank You” visit to members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) State Executive Committee, Bamidele said Ekiti must emulate the Lagos model of steady leadership and developmental consistency.
“Anyone familiar with Lagos between 1999 and now understands the beauty and progress that come with continuity — the harvest of development, economic growth and infrastructure advancement that follow a stable leadership trajectory,” he said.
Bamidele, who disclosed that he was in the state to participate as a delegate in the APC governorship primary scheduled for Monday, expressed confidence that the exercise would be peaceful and devoid of violence.
The APC’s ward congresses to elect delegates for the October 27 primaries were slated for Saturday, October 25, while delegates will on Monday affirm Governor Oyebanji as the party’s candidate for the June 20, 2026 governorship election.
The affirmation follows the withdrawal of Mrs Atinuke Olayemi Omolayo, who had initially been cleared alongside Oyebanji. Two other aspirants — Kayode Ojo and Abimbola Olawumi — were earlier disqualified by the party.
Bamidele commended Omolayo for her maturity and sportsmanship, describing her decision to step down as an act of loyalty that strengthened the party’s unity.
“Our party considered all options and, with the withdrawal of one aspirant, the consensus method became the most logical path,” he explained. “However, our constitution still requires that even a consensus candidate must be affirmed by delegates, which is what we are set to do.”
The Senate Leader also reacted to reports of protests at the APC national secretariat in Abuja, describing them as unnecessary.
“As long as there is one person in Nigeria who can be mobilised to protest over what they don’t understand, it shows we still have work to do. We’ll keep reaching out and working for genuine reconciliation among all forces,” he said.
Highlighting the achievements of the Oyebanji administration, Bamidele noted that the governor had delivered impressive results despite limited financial resources.
“This is not Rivers or Akwa Ibom State. Ekiti is a state with modest resources, yet Governor Oyebanji has achieved remarkable progress. Those who criticise from afar should come home and see what’s been done. Unless we’re expecting a magician, the record speaks for itself,” he stated.
Bamidele urged party members to remain united ahead of the election, emphasizing that the coming polls would be a celebration of democracy and stability.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed the Ekiti governorship election for June 20, 2026.
