Oyebanji submits nomination form, vows to break second term jinx

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, on Wednesday stormed the national secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja to submit his nomination form for the 2026 governorship election, in what turned out to be a political carnival marked by an unprecedented show of solidarity from leaders across party lines.

Oyebanji, who arrived at the APC headquarters at 2:15 pm, was accompanied by Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, and the state’s first civilian governor, Otunba Niyi Adebayo. He submitted the form to the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, after a brief meeting.

The governor’s declaration drew a crowd of political heavyweights, including four former deputy governors of the state—Chief Paul Alabi, Surveyor Abiodun Aluko, Senator Abiodun Olujimi, and Prof. Modupe Adelabu—as well as all nine serving National Assembly members from Ekiti.

In a rare political twist, Hon. Bisi Kolawole, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 2022 election, also led loyalists of former Governor Ayodele Fayose to the APC secretariat in a show of solidarity with Oyebanji.

Others present included members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, local government chairmen, labour leaders, students’ representatives, women and youth groups, and the APC Elders’ Forum.

Addressing the crowd, Governor Oyebanji said the overwhelming turnout was evidence of a broad-based resolve by the people of Ekiti to end the state’s long history of “one-term governors.” Since the state’s creation, no governor has served two consecutive terms.

“Since the creation of Ekiti State, no governor has done two terms at a stretch, and Ekiti people have come here to remove this reproach,” Oyebanji declared. “The only thing that stands against the development of our state is this come-and-go syndrome, and I have the divine mandate to break this jinx.”

He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support for Ekiti and urged the APC leadership to uphold party discipline ahead of the October 27 primary election. He also promised to abide by the rules of the process to ensure a peaceful and transparent contest.

Otunba Niyi Adebayo, speaking on behalf of former governors of the state, described Oyebanji as “a trustworthy and reliable protégé” whose contributions had enriched Ekiti’s growth both in public service and personal capacity.

Senate Leader Bamidele assured that Oyebanji would secure a landslide victory at the APC primary and the main election, noting that major political blocs across the state, including the structures of former Governor Fayose, Senator Olujimi, and former Governor Segun Oni, were now rallying behind him.

APC Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Emma Eneukwu, also praised Oyebanji’s leadership, describing him as a unifying figure who has made the APC an attractive brand in Ekiti. He pledged that the party would deliver a free, fair, and credible primary.

With the massive coalition of support across party lines and political tendencies, Oyebanji’s bid to secure a second term is already shaping up to be a defining moment in Ekiti’s political history.