As Ekiti State prepares for the 2026 governorship election, all eyes are on Governor Biodun Oyebanji and whether he can secure President Bola Tinubu’s endorsement for a second term. Though Oyebanji has received widespread backing from state APC leaders and is praised for his performance in office, his silence on re-election has fueled speculation over the political undercurrents shaping the race.
Political parties in Ekiti are gearing up for primary elections in the coming months. While local support for Oyebanji continues to grow, political watchers believe his second-term bid hinges on approval from the Presidency. In Iyin-Ekiti, the APC state caucus unanimously adopted him as their preferred candidate, citing his inclusive leadership and developmental strides. Similar endorsements followed from APC leaders across Ikere, Ado, and Ido-Ekiti.
Despite the groundswell of support, the governor has not declared his intention to seek re-election. He has, however, acknowledged the calls and expressed appreciation. Analysts interpret this as a strategic delay, allowing him to stay within electoral timelines while awaiting Tinubu’s decisive endorsement. Oyebanji’s frequent praise of the President’s backing for state projects is seen as a subtle appeal to secure federal blessing.
Tinubu’s endorsement carries significant weight in the APC’s power dynamics. But some believe the President is holding off to avoid alienating other aspirants or creating party rifts. The experience of former Lagos governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who was denied a second term despite incumbency, serves as a cautionary tale.
Former Governor Kayode Fayemi has assured party loyalists that Tinubu supports Oyebanji. At a meeting in Isan-Ekiti, he recalled how Oyebanji delivered Ekiti to the APC in 2023, when Tinubu won all 16 local government areas. However, doubts persist due to speculation that Fayemi may be aligning with anti-Tinubu elements ahead of 2027, despite denying any such moves.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, considered a Tinubu loyalist, offered perhaps the clearest signal of support by endorsing Oyebanji and volunteering to lead his campaign. Bamidele’s role in securing Tinubu’s past support for Fayemi adds weight to his endorsement, which many interpret as reflecting Tinubu’s position.
Prominent voices such as ex-governors Niyi Adebayo and Ayodele Fayose, along with legal luminaries like Chief Afe Babalola and Chief Wole Olanipekun, have also backed Oyebanji. Fayose’s endorsement during the 2023 Udiroko Festival surprised many, given his PDP roots, but he described Oyebanji’s leadership as responsive and result-driven.
Governor Oyebanji has racked up tangible achievements since taking office in 2022. His administration has overseen infrastructure projects, rural electrification, salary reforms, and launched the N500 million Youth Entrepreneurship Development Fund. On security, he strengthened the Amotekun Corps and collaborated with federal forces to track criminal herders.
Nonetheless, residents are grappling with rising costs following fuel subsidy removal and naira devaluation. While Oyebanji introduced food palliatives and farming support, critics argue more could be done. Still, his quiet, efficient governance has silenced many early skeptics.
Observers suggest Tinubu may hold off until October—Oyebanji’s third anniversary in office—before publicly declaring support. That milestone, expected to coincide with major project commissioning, could serve as a strategic moment for endorsement.
In contrast, the opposition is disorganised. The PDP remains fractured between factions loyal to Fayose and Senator Biodun Olujimi. There’s no clear candidate in sight, and internal strife continues to weaken the party. The SDP has lost steam since Segun Oni’s 2022 defeat, and the Labour Party lacks structure and local grounding despite youthful enthusiasm.
Within the APC, no major figure has declared interest in contesting Oyebanji. In 2022, he beat several big names to clinch the ticket, and many of those aspirants have since aligned with his administration.
This rare calm in Ekiti politics is interpreted as a sign of Oyebanji’s strong hold—pending a formal nod from Abuja. With popular support, elite backing, and weak opposition, Oyebanji seems poised for a smooth ride. But in Nigerian politics, nothing is guaranteed until the president speaks.
Until Tinubu’s approval comes, endorsements will grow, banners will rise, but the real campaign may not begin. Analysts believe that one signal from the President is all that’s needed to confirm Oyebanji’s 2026 ticket—and it’s only a matter of when.
