The Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has called for political stability and continuity in Ekiti State ahead of the 2026 governorship election, saying the state deserves the developmental progress that comes with sustained leadership, as seen in Lagos State.
Bamidele made the remarks on Friday evening during a “thank you visit” to members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) State Executive Committee in Ado Ekiti.
The Senate Leader, who said he was in the state to contest as a delegate in the APC governorship primary scheduled for Monday, expressed optimism that the exercise would be peaceful and transparent.
“We are looking forward to a governorship primary devoid of rancour, where no one will be molested or lose his life, and where there will be no spilling of blood,” he said.
He emphasised that the APC in Ekiti was committed to ensuring Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s continuity in office, noting that his administration had brought visible progress to the state despite limited resources.
“Anyone familiar with what has happened in Lagos State between 1999 and now will understand the beauty and progress that come with continuity — the harvest of development, economic growth and infrastructure advancement that follow a stable leadership trajectory,” Bamidele added.
Governor Oyebanji, who emerged as the APC’s consensus candidate after other aspirants either withdrew or were disqualified, is expected to be affirmed as the party’s flagbearer for the June 20, 2026, governorship election.
Bamidele, however, stressed the need for reconciliation within the party, urging all stakeholders to work together to ensure unity ahead of the polls.
He also reacted to protests at the APC national secretariat in Abuja by some individuals opposed to the party’s consensus decision, describing such actions as a reminder of the need for continuous engagement and political education.
“For as long as we still have even one person in Nigeria who can be mobilised to carry a placard and protest over something he or she knows nothing about, it shows that we still have work to do,” he said.
Commending Oyebanji’s performance, Bamidele lauded the governor’s achievements despite Ekiti’s modest financial base.
“This is not Rivers or Akwa Ibom; this is Ekiti, a state with limited resources. Yet, the governor has done well. Unless we are looking for a magician, I think the record speaks for itself,” he said.
The APC’s delegate congresses to select representatives for the governorship primary are scheduled to hold today (Saturday) across the 16 local government areas of the state.
