A governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Kayode Ojo, has accused Governor Biodun Oyebanji of intimidating party members ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
Speaking through the Chairman of the Consultative Forum of Kayode Ojo, Olukayode Oluyemo, at a press conference in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday, Ojo alleged that Oyebanji had threatened local government and ward chairmen not to welcome or host any other APC aspirant.
According to Ojo, the governor’s stance is “a direct assault” on the APC constitution and Nigeria’s democratic principles.
“This threat is not only ludicrous, but vexatious. It aptly demonstrates to all and sundry that the governor intends to turn the APC into his private fiefdom and family inheritance,” Ojo declared.
The APC aspirant maintained that despite alleged attacks and harassment from Oyebanji’s camp, he remained confident of clinching the party’s ticket at the October 27, 2025 primary election.
He described Ekiti State under Oyebanji’s watch as stagnated, saying his mission to govern the state was to reverse “the inexplicable stagnation ravaging Ekiti despite huge monthly allocations and the state’s immense development potential.”
Ojo’s comments came in response to a statement credited to Oyebanji during the governor’s declaration of intent, where he reportedly said:
“I want to see the local government chairman and the ward chairman of APC that will open their doors and offices for these people. I want to know the party member that will receive them.”
Condemning the remark, Ojo said it amounted to a violation of APC’s internal rules and Nigeria’s constitutional right to free association.
“We are members of APC. I don’t see why the governor is violating this constitutional provision. Our national executives in Abuja must caution him before he destroys the party,” he stressed.
Oluyemo further revealed that Ojo’s friends and supporters had funded his nomination and expression of interest forms, which would be collected at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja on Monday.
He accused Oyebanji’s loyalists of orchestrating attacks and framing Ojo’s supporters for “fictitious offences,” urging security agencies to guarantee a level playing field.
“We equally plead with the leadership of APC in Ekiti State to eschew partisanship and embrace all aspirants as one family. President Bola Tinubu must also caution Governor Oyebanji against ordering arrests and harassment of party members,” Oluyemo added.
He called on Ojo’s supporters to remain resolute, law-abiding, and focused on grassroots mobilisation across all 16 local government areas, saying:
“The day of liberation draws near. This primary election is not a do-or-die affair.”
