By Richard Olufemi Bamisile (PhD)
Under an ideal democracy, expression of interest for any electoral position, is an inalienable right of all qualified citizens. And the October 27, 2025 governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress in Ekiti State won’t deviate from this longstanding norm.
In recent time, the APC has become more inflamed in Ekiti due to unwarranted infighting. Our progressive Governor, Biodun Oyebanji has been at the receiving end of barrage of direct attacks and onslaughts. These sordid scenarios unfolded because some political interests thought their rights were being abridged and endangered, even when it wasn’t so.
Since ascension onto the governorship seat, Governor Oyebanji has proven to be a thoroughbred democrat. An harbinger of peace and a politician, who is not impervious to wise counsels . A leader with clear conscience and the fear of God. Under this contexts, the fear being nursed by his opponents was unexpected and unwarranted.
Like I said earlier, the party leadership at the national level, has demonstrated enough impartiality for all to be sure of fairness. It exhibited this by the recent withdrawal and vehemently ruled out the possibility of automatic ticket for even the most powerful and influential party man, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The party was explicit that every party member with qualified credentials could take a plunge for the presidential race in 2027. Where then is the fear that is fueling these attacks? Why were Oyebanji challengers fretting? Over what? Why were they so riled and ruffled?
The worst mistake any politician can make in life is to underrate a leader in position of authority. Governor Oyebanji’s peaceful demeanour and mien, seemed to have propelled some people to underrate his capacity to fight any electoral duel and win. This must have accounted for why some people were trying to ride rough shod over him.
One thing is sure in the governorship primary: There will be election that will be fair to all contending forces. And expectedly, Governor Oyebanji will definitely clinch the party’s ticket and becomes the flagbearer. only God can alter this prediction, because the existing political variables on ground favour him above other would-be contestants.
The governor becoming the face and binding force among political gladiators wasn’t earned by happenstance. It was a product of divine Providence, destiny, hardwork and good character.
Some facts must be laid bare here and should be well deciphered. Since the advent of democracy in Ekiti State in 1999, no Governor has the intimidating credentials paraded by Governor Biodun Oyebanji in terms of grassroots appeal. He enjoys a magnetic force and uncanny attraction across the strata. The governor came as an underrated politician, but dazzled everybody with his electrifying popularity.
There is a swirling rumour that the National Working Committee of the party was cunningly working behind the scene to tilt the table in Governor’s favour in the primary. This accusation was unfounded and baseless. Available information pointed to the fact that they are coming to Ekiti to undertake an electoral deal that will be fair and just to all interests.
Those making the allegation were nudged by the comment attributed to the National Secretary of the Party, Senator Basiru Ajibola, which seems to favour the incumbent. Let it be known that whatever he must have said should be taken as expression of his personal view and opinion, which he enjoys under the law. It doesn’t represent the exact and wholesome position of the party.
As a politician, I hold the unshakeable perspective that there is nothing to fight over in this primary, because election is a game of number. If this ideology remains unchanged, Oyebanji remains a contestant to beat. He towers in stature and connection with the party men and women to undo his adversaries.
Dissecting all the political parameters, the governor is seriously favoured, not only to win the primary, but the major election slated for 2026. The landmark victory is not going to be by barrel of gun, or brutish manner. Not even by applying strong arm tactic. It is going to be secured under a free, fair , peaceful and transparent atmosphere.
The APC is at liberty to apply direct or indirect mode. Whichever way it goes, Oyebanji is at a vantage and propitious enclave. He has the generality of the party behind him, ditto the party leaders at all levels, who will constitute the delegates, if indirect is to be applied to moderate and regulate the flaring temper.
Oyebanji’s wining streaks are not far-fetched. He has planned for this day long ago, by swiftly returning powers to the party leaders at all levels upon assumption of office. This reflected in governor seeking their inputs in the appointments of the commissioners and special Advisers. All of them were nominated and screened via their respective ward and local government leaders. This buttressed how leadership has been elevated and venerated under his superb headship.
In a fashion novel to long practices and conventions in APC, monthly stipends are now being paid to leaders at the local government and ward levels. Only the State Working Committee are enjoying this perk in the past.
The governor has brought a paradigm shift and respect to party leadership. They are now being treated as critical stakeholders and partners, not as servitudes. The beneficiaries, who are not ingrates, would want to reward the governor at the primary by paying him back in his own coins.
Leadership determines a lot in party’s primary. Governor’s Oyebanji has established an invincible relationships with all the party leaders. He is in one and good accord with the National and State Assembly members. None of them is his foe. They are all his Man’s Friday. These leaders are critical to who winning the primary in their senatorial districts as well as state and federal constituencies. These will be a huge influence and benefit to him in this election.
The incumbency factor is also another magic wand that can’t be disparaged, nor despised in the primary. The governor is influential not only as a controller of lever of power in governance and government, but within the political space. He has a lot of goodwill to savour. He has favoured some people by ways of appointments and financial empowerments, who will in turn say thank you, using the primary as a platform. Those still expecting such favours will also want to display that they are still with him. All these will come into play in the primary.
The two most influential leaders in APC: Otunba Niyi Adebayo and Dr. Kayode Fayemi, are solidly behind him. Most astounding was the rocky backing opposition leaders, like former Governors Ayodele Fayose and Segun Oni are unrepentantly and unapologetically lending to his second term bid. They have overtly endorsed him for a second term. These leaders attract respect and control solid structures within APC that can be deployed in Oyebanji’s favour.
My appeal will be that all the political gladiators must play by the rules. Those of us standing with the governor should go all out and build on the current goodwill, rather than responding to vitriolic attacks from other aspirants.
Those who are desirous of wrestling power from the current occupant should intensify campaigns across the 177 wards. Primary is not won on social media platforms, or through unwarranted and misdirected tirades against the incumbent.
The APC primary is underway. The day is fast approaching and the gladiators are mounting their tempo of campaigns to undo one another. I have a good prognostication that whichever modes of primary that is deployed, Oyebanji is favoured. Indisputably, he remains the “Numero Uno” in this impending contest.
Hon Bamisile (PhD), a member of the House of Representatives, writes from Kota Ekiti.