Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has openly reaffirmed his support for Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s re-election bid ahead of the June 20, 2026 governorship election in the state.
Fayose, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made the declaration during the grand finale of Oyebanji’s campaign tour in Ado-Ekiti, drawing fresh attention to the growing cross-party political alliances in the state.
The former governor stated that PDP members who supported President Bola Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji in previous elections were prepared to repeat the same political backing in the upcoming governorship poll and the 2027 general elections.
According to him, the political group known as “Iruwa Ogiri wa” remains firmly behind Oyebanji and is committed to ensuring the governor stays in office beyond 2026.
Fayose praised Oyebanji’s leadership style and governance approach, insisting that the administration had demonstrated political inclusiveness and delivered enough performance to justify another term.
“It’s the votes of the strangers (PDP) that brought Tinubu into power then. It’s our votes that brought the current governor in and will still bring him in again,” Fayose said.
“We, the Iruwa Ogiriwa, are with you and we are going to stand by you. The fact remains that something has to be done. Show me your opposition either in town or elsewhere.”
Despite publicly supporting the APC governor, Fayose maintained that he remains a member of the PDP.
“I’m not a member of APC, I’m a member of PDP, but we want to assure you that this good work must continue,” he added.
The former governor further endorsed Oyebanji’s continued stay in office until 2030, saying the governor had earned the confidence of political stakeholders across party lines.
Responding, Governor Oyebanji promised to sustain infrastructural development and deliver more democratic dividends if re-elected.
He said several development projects were still being planned by his administration and stressed the importance of the election to the ruling APC.
Oyebanji described the governorship poll as a key political test ahead of President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election ambition, adding that the target was to secure at least 500,000 votes to demonstrate Ekiti’s support for the president.
The development is expected to intensify political debates in Ekiti, especially within the PDP, where Fayose’s continued support for an APC administration has remained controversial among party loyalists.
