As preparations gather momentum for the Ekiti State governorship election, a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Engr. Kayode Ojo, has formally declared his intention to contest, vowing to unseat the incumbent governor, Biodun Oyebanji.
Ojo’s expression of interest and nomination forms, valued at N50 million, were procured on Tuesday at the APC national secretariat in Abuja by a former Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Kolawole Adefemi, who led a large delegation of supporters, including Mrs. Monica Adesola Olajuyigbe (née Adekunle Fajuyi).
Speaking on behalf of Ojo, Adefemi described his blueprint for Ekiti as a bold and transformative agenda aimed at building a distinct economic identity that would position the state as a global destination.
He explained that Ojo’s development plan places human capital at its core, focusing on education, vocational training, and entrepreneurship to drive growth in agriculture, tourism, and infrastructure, all underpinned by a strategic security system.
According to him, Ojo’s agricultural reforms will transform the sector from subsistence farming to agribusiness through modern techniques and value-chain development to boost productivity and exports.
In tourism, Ojo plans to harness Ekiti’s natural and cultural assets with upgraded sites, hospitality training, and global marketing initiatives.
Infrastructure development, he noted, would be aggressively pursued through improved roads, energy supply, and digital connectivity to facilitate commerce and investment.
Challenging Oyebanji’s performance, Adefemi argued that the governor has not done enough to merit a second term, stressing that Ojo envisions a “game-changing super-highway” linking Ekiti to Nigeria’s coastal seaports, particularly Lekki.
The project, he said, would be driven by partnerships with the Federal Government and international stakeholders.
“This visionary infrastructure will transform Ekiti into a pivotal inland logistics hub, a dry port where goods bound for the northern corridor converge, streamlining national trade routes and cutting transit costs,” Adefemi declared.
“It will be a lifeline for industrial expansion, unlocking access to imported machinery, equipment, and essential commodities while magnetizing investment.”
He added that Ojo’s vision aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, positioning Ekiti as a powerhouse in Nigeria’s supply chain and a driver of economic transformation.
On governance, Ojo pledged to ensure total autonomy for local governments, strengthen diaspora engagement, and embrace transparent governance. Adefemi said his principal would elevate Ekiti’s global profile through inclusiveness, people-driven policies, and international partnerships.
