Political tensions are already rising in Ekiti State ahead of the 2026 governorship election, with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) trading accusations over Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s performance in office.
SDP State Chairman, Bamikole Ayodele, on Thursday said Oyebanji’s administration had failed Ekiti people in key areas such as infrastructure, agriculture, security, tourism, and job creation. He accused the governor of mismanaging the state’s resources and falling short of fulfilling his electoral promises.
“The governor is not giving us the best,” Ayodele said during a press chat in Ado-Ekiti. “Look at the state of infrastructure—there’s nothing tangible to show. Ekiti is an agrarian state with fertile land, yet there’s no significant agricultural reform to engage our youths or drive productivity.”
He criticized what he described as Oyebanji’s “politicization of governance,” alleging that job opportunities in the state were being skewed in favor of APC loyalists. “Oyebanji is not the governor of APC; he is the governor of Ekiti State,” Ayodele stated, while calling for innovation and inclusiveness in governance.
In a sharp rebuttal, APC State Publicity Secretary Segun Dipe dismissed the SDP’s claims, describing the party as “comatose” and its leaders as seeking relevance. He maintained that Governor Oyebanji had made impressive strides in governance and earned widespread public approval.
“From agriculture to security, infrastructure to tourism—Oyebanji has performed exceptionally,” Dipe said. “Go to the hinterlands and see ongoing projects. This is the rainy season, which naturally slows visible construction, but the governor’s impact is undeniable.”
Dipe highlighted the restoration of electricity in communities long cut off from power supply and road construction projects in remote areas as evidence of progress. He added that the overwhelming support from citizens across the state confirmed that Oyebanji was on the right path.
“The voice of the people is the voice of God,” Dipe said. “SDP claiming it will unseat APC in 2026 is a joke taken too far. They are barely visible today and have no structure to mount any serious challenge.”
As the 2026 election draws nearer, both parties appear poised for a fierce political battle, with governance records and public perception set to play a pivotal role.
