Ambassador Oluwadare Patrick Bejide, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate for Ekiti State, declared that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has lost its grip on the state’s politics. He made the statement at the ADC National Headquarters in Abuja, where he received his Certificate of Return. The ceremony was chaired by the party’s Deputy National Chairman, Babachir Lawal, who represented ADC National Chairman Senator David Mark.
Bejide expressed optimism about his prospects in the 2026 election, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive political reset to address Ekiti’s deteriorating infrastructure, declining civil‑service morale, and worsening public perception. He unveiled elements of his development blueprint, which prioritizes agriculture, infrastructure, and civil‑service welfare. According to Bejide, Ekiti’s strategic location makes it an ideal supplier of agricultural products to major cities such as Lagos and Abuja, provided its agricultural value chain is properly developed.
Reflecting on his three‑decade career in public service, Bejide highlighted roles that include State Secretary of the NRC in the former Ondo State, pioneer secretary of the UNCP and PDP in Ekiti, Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Canada, Secretary to the Ekiti State Government, and chairmanships of the Federal Medical Centre and the UNHCR Board. He believes these experiences have equipped him with the knowledge needed to deliver meaningful reform.
Bejide chose to run under the ADC banner because of the party’s internal cohesion, discipline and fairness. He noted that the party’s credible primary process produced him as the candidate, unlike other parties mired in internal wrangling and litigation. Deputy National Chairman Babachir Lawal voiced confidence in Bejide’s candidacy and urged Ekiti residents to support him for the state’s progress and future.
As the 2026 election approaches, Bejide reaffirmed his readiness for robust grassroots mobilization, describing the upcoming vote as a watershed moment for Ekiti’s political trajectory. He asserts that the ADC is well‑positioned to bring the change the state needs. With his development blueprint and extensive public‑service experience, Bejide is poised to make a significant impact on Ekiti’s politics, and the election outcome will be closely watched as a possible shift in the state’s political landscape.
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