Professor Oyebanji Ikusayedegbe Olajuyin has emerged as the Labour Party’s candidate for the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election in Nigeria. The consensus candidate was affirmed during the party’s congress held in Ado-Ekiti, which was witnessed by party executives, delegates, and officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies.
In his acceptance speech, Prof. Olajuyin described his emergence as a testament to the Labour Party’s preparedness to take over leadership in the state. He emphasized that the party has become a front-runner in the forthcoming election, with the people of Ekiti ready to embrace credible leadership driven by integrity, competence, and compassion.
The governorship candidate also addressed the challenges facing democratic governance in Nigeria, lamenting the growing monetization of politics and its impact on the core values of service and accountability. He warned that the trend undermines the benefits of democracy, with money often taking precedence over character in politics.
The Ekiti State Chairman of the Labour Party, Barr. Odunayo Okunade, congratulated Olajuyin on his emergence and assured him of the party’s full support to ensure victory at the polls. Okunade described the peaceful and credible conduct of the congress as a reflection of the Labour Party’s commitment to transparency and internal democracy.
With over three decades of professional and administrative experience, Olajuyin is poised to reposition Ekiti for greater progress. The party’s commitment to transparency and internal democracy is evident in the conduct of the congress, which was witnessed by INEC officials, security agencies, and the media.
The emergence of Olajuyin as the Labour Party’s candidate marks a significant development in the lead-up to the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election. As the party seeks to take over leadership in the state, it remains to be seen how the election will unfold. The people of Ekiti will be watching closely as the campaign season progresses, with a focus on the candidates’ policies and visions for the state’s future.