A prominent All Progressives Congress chieftain, Senator Bode Ola, has urged governorship aspirant Engr. Kayode Ojo to postpone his political ambitions, allowing incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji to complete a second term in office. In a statement released in Abuja, Ola expressed his full support for Oyebanji’s re-election bid ahead of the July 20, 2026, governorship contest.
Ola, a former lawmaker who represented Ekiti Central in the 6th National Assembly, cautioned Ojo against escalating the political atmosphere in Ekiti State. Instead, he advised Ojo to support ongoing developmental and urban renewal projects. Ola acknowledged Ojo’s brilliance and noble ideas for the state but maintained that his time had not yet come.
The former senator cited Oyebanji’s record in agriculture, healthcare, education, and infrastructure, which he believed had won the confidence of the people. He argued that the people were eager to see Oyebanji consolidate his achievements. Ola’s endorsement of Oyebanji was based on the governor’s visible achievements across communities, particularly in Ado Ekiti, the state capital.
Ojo, a businessman and current Chairman of the Governing Board of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, had officially declared his intention to contest the governorship election by obtaining APC nomination forms on August 26. He is expected to face Oyebanji at the party’s primary scheduled for October 27, 2025. The upcoming primary is likely to be a significant contest, with both candidates vying for the APC’s governorship ticket.
The appeal by Ola highlights the intricate dynamics within the APC in Ekiti State, as the party prepares for the upcoming governorship election. With Ola’s endorsement of Oyebanji, the incumbent governor appears to have gained significant support from a prominent party leader. As the election approaches, it remains to be seen how Ojo’s campaign will unfold and whether he will be able to garner sufficient support to challenge Oyebanji’s re-election bid.
The outcome of the primary will have significant implications for the future of Ekiti State, as the chosen candidate will go on to represent the APC in the July 20, 2026, governorship contest. As the political landscape continues to evolve, stakeholders and citizens alike will be closely watching the developments in the state’s gubernatorial race.