The 2027 presidential race has triggered a notable political shift in Ekiti, with PDP governorship candidate Wole Oluyede pledging to work with Governor Biodun Oyebanji and lead a grassroots campaign for President Bola Tinubu. Oluyede met with Oyebanji in Lagos on Thursday, weeks after contesting the June 20, 2026, Ekiti governorship election on the platform […]

The 2027 presidential race has triggered a notable political shift in Ekiti, with PDP governorship candidate Wole Oluyede pledging to work with Governor Biodun Oyebanji and lead a grassroots campaign for President Bola Tinubu.

Oluyede met with Oyebanji in Lagos on Thursday, weeks after contesting the June 20, 2026, Ekiti governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Speaking on the significance of the meeting, Oluyede said the discussion was centred on cooperation, unity and the development of Ekiti, rather than party differences.

He recalled that Oyebanji had visited him on June 21, immediately after the governorship election, during which they discussed how Ekiti leaders could work together for the advancement of the state.

Oluyede said his latest meeting with the governor was partly a response to that earlier visit, describing the gesture as an expression of reciprocity and respect among Ekiti leaders.

The former governorship candidate has already declared his support for Tinubu’s bid for another term and said his team, including members of the Oluyede Progressive Alliance for Renewed Hope Agenda, would participate in efforts to secure victory for the President.

He stressed that supporting Tinubu could not stop at political statements, insisting that the commitment must be backed by extensive grassroots engagement throughout Ekiti.

Oluyede said his team would engage residents directly, including through visits to homes, villages and communities, while encouraging other political and community stakeholders to join the effort.

According to him, the mobilisation would cut across the state’s 16 local government areas and involve traditional rulers, community leaders, youths, women, professionals, entrepreneurs and political actors.

He also disclosed his target for the 2027 presidential election, saying his objective was to help Tinubu secure 90 per cent of the votes in Ekiti.

Oluyede said the task would require collective action, urging political leaders to put aside their differences and concentrate on securing a strong result for Tinubu.

He stated, “I want us to focus on 2027 and how we can win Ekiti for Mr President,” adding that the meeting with Oyebanji formed part of his commitment to working with the governor towards that objective.

The PDP chieftain further argued that political competition should not turn Ekiti people into permanent adversaries, noting that members of different parties could still cooperate in matters affecting the state and the country.

He invoked the Ekiti value of “Omoluabi,” saying the principle should continue to define relationships among the people regardless of their political affiliations.

Oluyede said, “We may belong to different political parties, but at the end of the day, we are Ekiti people. We are brothers. We can disagree politically without becoming enemies.”

Oyebanji welcomed the development and expressed appreciation to Oluyede for what he described as statesmanship and commitment to Ekiti’s advancement and national development.

The governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, also confirmed the meeting, saying Oluyede formally informed Oyebanji of his decision to support Tinubu in the January 2027 presidential election.

Oyebode added that the two politicians discussed issues concerning Ekiti’s development and the governor’s second-term administration, which is scheduled to commence on October 16.