Ex-Ekiti Governor, Fayose Backs Oyebanji for 2026 Re-Election

 

Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has openly declared his support for the re-election of Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State in the 2026 governorship election.

Fayose made this declaration on Wednesday during the commissioning of the Ikeja GRA Network of Roads in Lagos State.

A prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Fayose commended the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government in Lagos for transforming the Ikeja GRA area to rival the elite Ikoyi district.

“This place is now our own Ikoyi… You and your deputy have turned GRA to Ikoyi GRA,” Fayose remarked, applauding the Lagos State Government’s infrastructural strides.

Despite his firm loyalty to the PDP, Fayose stated unequivocally that he would support Governor Oyebanji, a member of the APC, in his re-election campaign.

“I am one Nigerian who will not say what I don’t mean even if they will kill me. I will say it. I am not a member of APC, let me put that on record again. I am not a member of APC and I will never be a member but I will not shy away from the fact that what is good is good,” Fayose declared.

Reflecting on Oyebanji’s emergence as governor, Fayose admitted that initial skepticism surrounded Oyebanji’s nomination but noted that the governor had surpassed expectations.

“When the news of your nomination came about six years ago, there were so many reservations, but you have proved the bookmakers wrong, including myself. You have shown that leadership is not about appearances but about substance. You are a different breed of politician,” he added.

Drawing a parallel between Oyebanji and the inclusive governance approach in Lagos, Fayose said, “You brought everybody together like my governor in Ekiti, Oyebanji, brought everybody together. I always tell people who care to listen, I am a PDP member but I will support Oyebanji in the next election. It is not about politics, it is who Oyebanji is.”

Governor Biodun Oyebanji was elected in June 2022 after defeating PDP’s Bisi Kolawole and Olusegun Oni of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). He succeeded former governor Kayode Fayemi and was sworn into office in October 2022.