Ekiti 2026: Kayode Ojo Joins Race, Supporters Accuse Oyebanji of Betrayal

Ekiti 2026: Kayode Ojo Joins Race, Supporters Accuse Oyebanji of Betrayal

…My Alignment with Engr. Ojo is Rooted in Legacy—Fajuyi’s Daughter

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

Supporters of Engineer Kayode Ojo on Tuesday stormed the national headquarters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja to purchase his Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for the 2026 Ekiti governorship election, declaring that the state must be “rescued from incompetent leadership.”

Speaking at the event, Pioneer Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Kolawole Adefemi, said Governor Biodun Oyebanji had betrayed both the APC and the people of Ekiti.
“Ekiti is bleeding. The state has lost its way under the incompetent leadership of Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, and our people are yearning for a leader who can restore confidence, ignite development, and deliver good governance,” he said.

Adefemi insisted that Ojo’s entrance into the race was not about personal ambition but about restoring dignity to governance in Ekiti.
“This is not a struggle for titles or positions. It is about rescuing our party, reclaiming our values, and rebuilding Ekiti for the next generation. Engr. Kayode Ojo is the rallying point for all progressives who believe the state deserves better than mediocrity,” he said.

He further stressed that the movement behind Ojo was growing across all strata of the state.
“From the market women in Omuo to the farmers in Ikole, from young graduates in Ado to artisans in Ijero, the voices are clear: Ekiti needs competence, not excuses. Our mission is rooted in the collective cry of the people, and Engr. Ojo is the answer to that cry,” Adefemi declared.

The group accused Oyebanji of dismantling party structures, sidelining loyalists, and rewarding opposition members with appointments while leaving APC lawmakers as “spectators” in governance.

They alleged that verified APC membership figures had been manipulated, dropping from 186,000 to just 114,000 to weaken the party’s support base.

They also accused him of frittering away state funds on political showmanship. “Over N20 billion has been wasted on endorsement jamborees instead of fixing roads, building schools, and improving healthcare. Ekiti people need development, not empty spectacles,” one supporter said.

Another allegation was that the governor had abandoned grassroots development. According to the group, “local government autonomy has been stifled under Oyebanji. Council funds are routinely diverted, leaving chairmen powerless and communities underdeveloped.”

Adefemi, however, described Ojo as a leader with proven capacity, pointing to his decisive role as Pro-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he restored order by facilitating the appointment of a substantive Vice-Chancellor after years of crisis.

On Ojo’s vision for Ekiti, Adefemi highlighted plans for agribusiness reforms, tourism development, massive infrastructure upgrades, and a super-highway linking the state to coastal seaports. He also promised that Ojo would guarantee full local government autonomy in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Adding weight to Ojo’s aspiration, daughter of Nigeria’s first military governor of the old Western Region, Monica Adesola Olajuyigbe (née Adekunle Fajuyi), announced her support after collecting the nomination form on his behalf.
“Engr. Ojo enters this race with clean hands, a clear vision, and a compassionate heart. My alignment with him is rooted in legacy. Just as my father gave his life for principles greater than self, Ojo represents that same spirit of integrity, loyalty, and service to the people,” she said.

Monica added that Ojo’s mission is to unite the APC family, empower women and youth, and deliver inclusive development across all 16 LGAs of Ekiti.