The immediate past governor of Ekiti State and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has declared his support for Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s second-term bid, while stating that National and State Assembly members should not expect automatic tickets for the 2027 elections.
Speaking at an APC stakeholders’ meeting in his hometown, Isan Ekiti, on Thursday, Fayemi urged lawmakers to demonstrate their support for the governor as part of their political performance evaluation.
Fayemi commended Oyebanji’s performance over the past two years, particularly in governance and appointments. He said, “Let us support and continue to work for our man who is doing well as a governor. A very capable man for the job. If we support him again, Ekiti people will accept him.”
He emphasized the unity of APC leaders in backing Oyebanji, stating, “I am speaking on behalf of former governor Niyi Adebayo—both of us are leaders in the APC. Let the lawmakers go back home and work for Oyebanji; that will count as continuous assessment.”
Fayemi clarified that there would be no automatic return tickets for federal and state legislators in the 2027 elections. He urged lawmakers to prove their worth by working within their constituencies. “If leaders in their districts and constituencies tell us they are capable and worthy, we will make decisions for them. But there is nothing like an automatic ticket,” he said.
Fayemi dismissed claims of discord between himself and Oyebanji, asserting that some individuals sought to exploit crises for personal gain. “I am not a leader that will work and come back to destroy it. What will I say that Governor Oyebanji has not done in the last two years across all sectors?” he asked.
He acknowledged grievances from some party members but called for unity, especially with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) expected to announce the date for the next Ekiti governorship election early next year.
Fayemi expressed his awareness of former APC members who opposed Oyebanji’s candidacy in 2022 but have since returned to the party and are now supporting his re-election. “These people left our party to contest in another party and are now back in the APC, championing the re-election of the governor. They will have to queue in line because it was those of us who supported Oyebanji when they left that made this possible.”
He concluded by affirming that Oyebanji also enjoys the backing of the APC at the national level, including the president.
