Oyebanji denies defection rumours, reaffirms loyalty to Tinubu, APC

Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji

The Ekiti State Government has debunked claims that Governor Biodun Oyebanji and some state officials are planning to defect to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing the rumour as false, baseless, and politically motivated.

In a statement released on Monday, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Olayinka Oyebode, dismissed the report as a fabricated narrative by “mischief makers” and “desperate politicians” aiming to sow discord ahead of the 2026 governorship race.

Oyebode affirmed that Governor Oyebanji remains firmly committed to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and has no affiliation or intention to join the ADC. He also clarified that the former governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who was mentioned in the report, recently attended an APC caucus meeting in Iyin-Ekiti, where the party reaffirmed its support for President Bola Tinubu and endorsed Oyebanji for a second term.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Oyebanji and other officials mentioned remain rooted in the APC,” Oyebode said. “He has never departed from the progressive movement since the beginning of the Fourth Republic in 1999.”

The statement alleged that the false report was part of a broader campaign by unnamed political aspirants who, unable to present their candidacy convincingly to Ekiti voters, have turned to misinformation and social media attacks to discredit the governor and his administration.

“We are aware of attempts to weaponise the governor’s relationship with Dr. Fayemi to create a rift with President Tinubu. But Mr. President is a seasoned strategist who can see through such antics,” the statement read.

Oyebode urged the public to disregard the defection claims and challenged those spreading the rumours to present their agenda openly now that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the primary election date.

He called on the people of Ekiti to remain focused and not be swayed by what he described as “childish media attacks” designed to distract from the administration’s developmental agenda.