Thousands of Ekiti State residents and political supporters gathered in Ado-Ekiti on Monday to publicly endorse Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and Ekiti Governor Biodun Oyebanji for second terms in office, in a show of cross-party solidarity that included unexpected backing from opposition figures. The event, held at the 14,000-seat Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, reached full capacity hours before it began, drawing artisans, civil servants, and representatives from unions and associations.
Prominent among attendees was former Governor Ayo Fayose of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who pledged to support Tinubu and Oyebanji despite reaffirming he would never join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Fayose, known for his historic 16-0 electoral sweep against an unnamed incumbent in Ekiti’s 16 local government areas, said he endorsed the duo due to their “character and performance.” The gathering also saw the defection of high-profile PDP members, including former Senate Minority Leader Biodun Olujimi and legal luminary Obafemi Adewale (SAN), who announced their switch to the APC alongside supporters.
The occasion drew a mix of APC stalwarts and opposition leaders, such as former Governor Segun Oni of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Lagos-East lawmaker Dayo Adeyeye, and other federal lawmakers from Ekiti were present, signaling broad institutional support. Organizers described the event as the culmination of months of grassroots endorsements across senatorial districts and local councils.
Chief Abiodun Aluko, chair of the endorsement committee and a former Ekiti deputy governor, framed the rally as a “collective will” of residents to reward Tinubu’s and Oyebanji’s governance. Formal motions for their second terms—extending Tinubu’s tenure to 2031 and Oyebanji’s to 2030—were passed by legislative leaders, with APC National Secretary Bashir Ajijola pledging the party would continue attracting Nigerians through “inclusive governance.”
Bamidele, in his remarks, dismissed the emerging opposition coalition African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a “wrong choice,” urging voters to reject what he termed “deceptive tactics.” The event underscored shifting political dynamics in Ekiti, with APC consolidating support amid defections and rival factions criticizing newer challengers. While not explicitly addressed, the absence of direct references to policy achievements left room for scrutiny over the tangible impacts driving the endorsements.
The rally highlights Tinubu and Oyebanji’s efforts to solidify their political base ahead of future elections, leveraging both party loyalty and alliances with erstwhile opponents—a strategy that could reshape Ekiti’s electoral landscape.
