by Olaitan Babatunde
As Ekiti prepares for one of its most closely watched governorship elections, the conversation is no longer just about campaign rallies, party colours, or who can pull the biggest crowd to the pavilion in Ado Ekiti. The real conversation is about leadership, credibility, and whether voters will judge candidates by what they have done or by the logo on their campaign posters. With the 2026 governorship election approaching, some of the major contenders are already shaping the political conversation in the state.
At the centre of the race is incumbent governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress, who is seeking another term in office. Oyebanji has built much of his political strength around continuity, infrastructure, and public sector reforms. Supporters point to road construction projects, improvements in workers’ welfare, pension payments, investments in agriculture, and efforts to attract development partnerships into Ekiti as some of his major achievements. His administration has also placed emphasis on education, youth empowerment, and rural development. His campaign message appears focused on continuity, economic growth, job creation, and consolidating what his government describes as stable governance.
On the opposition side is Wole Oluyede of the Peoples Democratic Party, whose emergence came after internal legal battles within the party. Oluyede has positioned himself as a reform driven candidate, promising stronger economic inclusion, investment in healthcare, education, and what his camp describes as people centred governance. His supporters argue that Ekiti needs fresh administrative energy and stronger opposition oversight to challenge the current structure. His campaign message revolves around restoring economic balance, improving social services, and creating opportunities for small businesses and young professionals.
Then there is Oyebanji Olajuyin of the Labour Party, a medical expert and administrator whose candidacy has drawn attention among younger voters and professionals. Olajuyin’s supporters highlight his decades of experience in healthcare, administration, and institutional leadership. His message appears to focus on technocratic governance, healthcare reform, education, and using professional expertise to solve governance problems. In a political space often dominated by career politicians, his candidacy presents an alternative built around professional competence rather than traditional political structures.
Other parties such as the African Democratic Congress, Accord Party, and smaller platforms have also presented candidates, each bringing their own promises around governance, youth development, infrastructure, and economic reforms. But as always in Nigerian politics, manifestos are easy to print. Delivery is where leadership gets tested. A campaign speech can fill a stadium, but it cannot fill potholes, pay salaries, fix hospitals, or create jobs by itself.
As Ekiti voters prepare to head to the polls, one truth remains. Democracy becomes stronger when citizens vote with memory, not emotion. Voters must look beyond party slogans, online propaganda, and ethnic or political loyalty. They must ask simple but powerful questions. What has this candidate done before. What institutions have they built. What communities have they impacted. What values have they shown under pressure. Because in the end, parties do not govern Ekiti. People do. And the future of the state may depend on whether citizens choose performance over party.
