The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the June 20, 2026 Ekiti State governorship election, Dr. Wole Oluyede, has met with Governor Biodun Oyebanji in Lagos, reaffirming his commitment to working with the Governor for the progress of Ekiti State and the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

The meeting marks a significant development in the political landscape of Ekiti, as the two leaders discussed the need for unity, cooperation and collective action beyond political party differences.

Oluyede said his meeting with Governor Oyebanji was also a return of the visit paid to him by the Governor on June 21, a day after the governorship election. According to him, the post-election meeting provided an opportunity for both leaders to discuss how Ekiti could move forward and how political differences should not prevent Ekiti people from working together as brothers.

He said Thursday’s meeting was therefore not only about politics but also about reciprocity, respect and the shared responsibility of Ekiti leaders to contribute to the development of the state.

“Governor Oyebanji came to visit me on June 21, immediately after the election. We discussed Ekiti and how we can all come together as brothers to move Ekiti forward.

“Today’s meeting is part of returning that visit and paying back the gesture. For me, it is about reciprocity, but more importantly, it is about Ekiti.

“What they know Ekiti for is Omoluabi, and we will forever remain so. Political differences should not destroy the bonds that unite us as Ekiti people,” Oluyede said.

A major focus of the meeting was the 2027 presidential election and the need to develop a strategy capable of delivering Ekiti State for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Oluyede, who has recently announced his decision to work for Tinubu’s re-election, said his commitment must go beyond public declarations and translate into concrete grassroots mobilisation.

He said all political leaders and stakeholders in Ekiti must put aside their differences and come together if the state is to give the President a decisive victory.

“I want us to focus on 2027 and how we can win Ekiti for Mr President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. To achieve that, everybody needs to come together.

“Today’s meeting is part of the move and the commitment I made to work with Mr Governor towards the victory of President Tinubu in Ekiti come 2027,” he said.

Oluyede stressed that his decision to support Tinubu was driven by what he described as the broader interests of Ekiti and Nigeria, insisting that political cooperation should not necessarily mean the abandonment of individual political identities.

The former PDP governorship candidate announced that he would personally lead a grassroots campaign across Ekiti State alongside his team and members of the Oluyede Progressive Alliance for Renewed Hope Agenda (OPARHA).

He said the mobilisation would cover every level of the state, from major towns to rural communities.

“We will go from house to house, village to village and community to community. I will lead my team and the entire Oluyede Progressive Alliance for Renewed Hope Agenda.

“We are going to speak directly with our people, listen to them and mobilise them for President Tinubu. We are not going to sit in offices and expect victory. We will work for it,” Oluyede declared.

He said the mobilisation would involve political leaders, traditional and community leaders, youths, women, professionals, business owners and other stakeholders across the 16 local government areas.

Oluyede also set an ambitious target for President Tinubu in Ekiti, declaring that his team would work towards securing 90 per cent support for the President in the 2027 presidential election.

“Our target is clear. We want Ekiti to give Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu 90 per cent.

“We are going to work for it. We will mobilise, campaign and speak to our people directly. But we cannot do it alone. Everybody must come together,” he said.

He maintained that achieving the target would require sustained engagement with voters and cooperation among political stakeholders rather than relying solely on conventional party structures.

According to him, the planned grassroots campaign will take the message of the Renewed Hope Agenda directly to the people while encouraging Ekiti citizens to participate actively in the political process.

Oluyede said the cooperation between him and Governor Oyebanji should be viewed within the broader context of Ekiti unity and development.

“We may belong to different political parties, but at the end of the day, we are Ekiti people. We are brothers.

“We can disagree politically without becoming enemies. When the interest of Ekiti and Nigeria is involved, we must come together.

“What Ekiti is known for is Omoluabi, and we will forever remain so,” he said.

Governor Oyebanji, according to a statement from the Governor’s Circle, thanked Oluyede for his statesmanship and demonstrated commitment to Ekiti progress and national development.

The Governor also received Oluyede’s briefing on his meeting with President Tinubu and his subsequent decision to work for the President in the 2027 presidential election.

The two leaders also discussed the development of Ekiti under Oyebanji’s second-term administration, which is scheduled to commence on October 16.

For Oluyede, the Lagos meeting represents the beginning of a broader political and grassroots engagement ahead of 2027.

He said the task now is to transform the understanding reached among political leaders into practical action across the state.

“We are ready to work. We are ready to go to the people. From house to house, village to village and community to community, we will take this message across Ekiti.

“Ekiti must demonstrate its Omoluabi character. We must come together for the progress of our state and the development of Nigeria.

“And we will work to deliver Ekiti for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027,” Oluyede said.