The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the June 20, 2026, Ekiti State election, Wole Oluyede, has met with Governor Biodun Oyebanji in Lagos, reaffirming his commitment to working with the governor on Ekiti’s development and President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
The meeting, held on Thursday, came after Oyebanji visited Oluyede on June 21, a day after the governorship election, where both leaders reportedly discussed the need for Ekiti stakeholders to work together despite their political differences.
Oluyede described Thursday’s meeting as a return visit, stressing that the engagement was driven by reciprocity, mutual respect and the shared responsibility of Ekiti leaders to promote the interests of the state.
According to a statement made available in Ado Ekiti on Friday, the PDP chieftain said political disagreements should not undermine the bonds among the people of the state.
“Governor Oyebanji came to visit me on June 21, immediately after the election. We discussed Ekiti and how we could all come together as brothers to move Ekiti forward. Today’s meeting is part of returning that visit and paying back the gesture.
“For me, it is about reciprocity, but more importantly, it is about Ekiti. What they know Ekiti for is Omoluabi, and we will forever remain so. Political differences should not destroy the bonds that unite us as Ekiti people,” he said.
Oluyede, who recently announced his support for Tinubu’s re-election alongside members of his team and the Oluyede Progressive Alliance for Renewed Hope Agenda (OPARHA), said the declaration must be backed by practical grassroots mobilisation.
He said political leaders and other stakeholders in Ekiti must put aside partisan differences and work collectively to secure a decisive victory for Tinubu in the state.
“I want us to focus on 2027 and how we can win Ekiti for Mr President. To achieve that, everybody needs to come together. Today’s meeting is part of the move and the commitment I made to work with Mr Governor towards the victory of President Tinubu in Ekiti come 2027,” Oluyede said.
He also announced plans to personally lead a grassroots campaign across the state with his team and OPARHA members, promising to engage residents directly in communities.
“We will go from house to house, village to village and community to community. We are going to speak directly with our people, listen to them and mobilise them for President Tinubu,” he said.
Oluyede said the mobilisation would cover all 16 local government areas of Ekiti State and involve political leaders, traditional rulers, community leaders, youths, women, professionals, business owners and other stakeholders.
“Our target is clear. We want Ekiti to give President Tinubu 90 per cent. We are going to work for it. We will mobilise, campaign and speak to our people directly. But we cannot do it alone. Everybody must come together,” he added.
The former PDP governorship candidate maintained that his emerging cooperation with Oyebanji should not be interpreted solely through partisan politics, but as part of a broader effort to promote unity and development in Ekiti.
“We may belong to different political parties, but at the end of the day, we are Ekiti people. We are brothers. We can disagree politically without becoming enemies. When the interest of Ekiti and Nigeria is involved, we must come together,” he said.
Confirming the meeting, the governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, said Oluyede briefed Oyebanji on his decision to support Tinubu in the January 2027 presidential election.
Oyebode added that the two leaders also discussed the progress of Ekiti State under Oyebanji’s second-term administration, which is scheduled to commence on October 16.
The governor, according to his media aide, thanked Oluyede for what he described as his statesmanship and commitment to the progress of Ekiti State and national development.
