The political landscape in Ekiti State is experiencing tremors as Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s potential second term bid sparks controversy within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). A group of concerned elders and youths within the party have accused Governor Oyebanji of undermining party democracy and disrespecting President Bola Tinubu by prematurely establishing a 24-member committee to endorse his candidacy for the 2026 governorship election. This committee, chaired by former Deputy Governor Abiodun Aluko, is seen by the dissenting group as an attempt by Oyebanji to circumvent internal party processes and impose himself as the APC’s candidate, thereby stifling competition and potentially jeopardizing the party’s standing in the state. The group contends that this action directly contradicts President Tinubu’s emphasis on internal party democracy and transparent primaries for all elective offices.
The concerned APC members have voiced their apprehension over what they perceive as Governor Oyebanji’s authoritarian approach to governance and his alleged attempt to create a false impression of widespread grassroots support through a planned mega rally. They argue that the governor’s focus should be on delivering good governance and tangible benefits to the people of Ekiti State rather than engaging in premature electioneering activities that violate the Electoral Act. The group has called on President Tinubu, APC National Chairman Umar Ganduje, and other national party leaders to intervene and caution Governor Oyebanji, warning that his actions could lead to an undesirable backlash and cost the APC its control of the state.
Central to the group’s concerns is the timing of the endorsement committee’s formation. They highlight that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not yet issued any directives regarding the 2026 governorship election, making the governor’s actions premature and potentially disruptive to established electoral procedures. They also emphasize the importance of adhering to the APC constitution, which provides clear guidelines for primary elections and internal party affairs. The group questions the governor’s motives, asking why he feels the need to rush the endorsement process and expend financial resources on securing his position if he is truly confident in his leadership and popularity. They suggest that the governor’s actions betray insecurity and a fear of scrutiny and competition.
However, the Ekiti State APC Publicity Secretary, Segun Dipe, has dismissed the allegations leveled against Governor Oyebanji, stating that the endorsement committee was established by stakeholders and not by the governor himself. Dipe argues that the endorsements represent expressions of support from various sectors of the population and do not equate to a formal campaign launch or an official declaration of the governor’s intention to seek re-election. While he admits that the constitution allows Governor Oyebanji to run for a second term, Dipe insists that the governor has neither expressed interest nor publicly declared his intention to do so. He emphasizes that political activities, including endorsements and calls for various individuals to contest, are natural occurrences within a democratic framework.
Dipe maintains that the governor has not violated any party rules or electoral laws and that the concerned group’s claims lack substantiation. He points out that any official committee formed by the governor would be announced through the Chief Press Secretary, which has not happened in this case. Dipe suggests that the group is misinterpreting expressions of support for the governor as orchestrated actions driven by the governor himself. He concludes by asserting that the APC has not received any official communication regarding the formation of an endorsement committee by the governor, further emphasizing the disconnect between the governor’s actions and the claims made by the concerned group.
This developing situation in Ekiti State highlights the inherent tensions between expressions of popular support and the formal processes of party democracy. While endorsements can signify public approval of a leader’s performance, the timing and manner in which such endorsements are expressed can raise questions about the integrity of internal party procedures. The accusations against Governor Oyebanji underscore the need for a delicate balance between acknowledging public sentiment and upholding the principles of fair competition and transparent elections within a political party. The ongoing debate within the Ekiti APC reflects the broader challenges faced by democratic systems in navigating the complexities of political endorsements and ensuring that the will of the people is respected while maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.
