As the All Progressives Congress (APC) gears up for its governorship primary ahead of the June 20, 2026, governorship election in Ekiti State, the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Monisade Afuye, has declared that the state can’t afford to be governed by an inexperienced person.
She said that her principal, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, remains the best person for the state to continue till 2030.
She stated that the state cannot afford a trial-and-error approach to governance by electing a novice to lead, at the expense of an experienced governor like Oyebanji, whom she said has been tested and trusted as an administrator.
Afuye spoke in Aramoko and Ado Ekiti, the headquarters of Ekiti West and Ado Local Governments, on Monday, at the conclusion of the women mobilisation tour organised by the office of the First Lady, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, to rally support for her husband.
The deputy governor assured APC members that his boss, Oyebanji, will govern more inclusively if entrusted with a second term.
She saluted the APC members in Ekiti West and Ado Local Governments for their camaraderie and firm support for Oyebanji and the First Lady, who are their son and daughter.
“You have tested Governor Oyebanji and found him suitable as a governor. He has done excellently well in the last three years. You know that if given a second term, he will do more. I want you to double your votes for him.
“Our governor hails from Ekiti West, and the First Lady is from Ado Ekiti. He is your son. I know you won’t let him down. As you won’t let him down, he too will not disappoint you, be assured about this.
“What we need in Ekiti is someone with the experience and the fear of God to lead us. I know Governor Oyebanji possesses all these qualities,” she said.
Afuye stated that the government will continue to be gender sensitive by appointing more women to high positions in politics and administration, emphasising that the governor is heavily relying on them to secure the party’s primary ticket.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Chief Jide Awe, called on women and other party members to remain steadfast in their support for the governor, who has served with passion and delivered the best for the state.
Awe said the massive turnout of women at the mobilisation tour was a well-amplified message that Ekiti is safe for Governor Oyebanji in the upcoming primary and governorship poll, urging them not to allow anybody to derail the ongoing process, the way it happened in 2014.
“The governorship primary comes up in October this year. Please, stand with the governor. Let us allow the present level of development to continue. We can’t allow Ekiti to go back to Egypt, support the governor to win the party’s ticket in the interest of all of us,” Awe said.
