Ahead of the 2026 governorship poll in Ekiti State, leaders in Ekiti South Senatorial District in the All Progressives Congress (APC ), on Monday, endorsed Governor Biodun Oyebanji for second term.

They said re-election would allow the governor and his deputy to consolidate the good governance being ushered into the state.

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, after a special meeting of the APC members drawn from the 64 wards in the District, held in Ikere Ekiti, the headquarters of the Senatorial District.

They said the decision became expedient following the Governor’s developmental strides 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.

The Senator representing the District and Senate Spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, the House of Representatives representing Ekiti South Federal Constituency II, Femi Bamisile, and his counterpart in constituency 1, AVM Adeniyi Ojuawo, was 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 said.

The Chairman of Ikere Local Government, Mr. 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 a 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.

READ ALSO:Oyebanji congratulates Aiyedatiwa on election as Ondo governor 

Adaramodu added that the endorsement was not misplaced because of the Oyebanji’s 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 would 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 the second term,” Adaramodu said.

Earlier, the APC Senatorial Chairman, 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 of 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 from 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.”

Speaking on behalf of 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.