The people of Ilejemeje Local Government, through their youth leadership, have strongly condemned recent comments made by Folorunsho Dada, who accused Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji of behaving as if the All Progressives Congress (APC) belonged to him.
Speaking on behalf of the community, Oloruntoba Rufus Ajayi, Youth Leader of Eda Oniyo Ward, dismissed Dada’s remarks as baseless propaganda. He described Dada as an impostor falsely parading himself as a former secretary of Ilejemeje Local Government, noting that no one in the community recognizes him or associates his name with the local political structure.
Ajayi described the comments as the desperate rant of someone seeking relevance. “This man has no political history in Ilejemeje, no contributions to our progress, and no recognition among our people. His words are empty and insulting to the intelligence of our community,” he said.
He stressed that Governor Oyebanji had never claimed ownership of the party, contrary to the impression created by Dada. According to him, the governor only speaks and acts in his capacity as the leader of the state and head of the party in Ekiti. “It is mischievous to twist the governor’s leadership role into something it is not,” Ajayi noted.
The youth leader further defended the governor’s right to guide his appointees and address party members. “That is what leadership requires. For Dada to present this as arrogance or ownership is a deliberate distortion,” he argued.
He also faulted Dada’s account of a supposed shooting incident within the APC, describing it as a fabrication. He said the story was staged by desperate aspirants to blackmail the government and had no credibility. “There was no genuine attack. The narrative is fake, and Dada’s role in amplifying it only shows he is serving the wrong interests,” Ajayi maintained.
Reiterating their loyalty, the youths declared Ilejemeje a one-party stronghold firmly behind the APC and Governor Oyebanji. They also acknowledged the stabilizing influence of High Chief Folorunsho Olabode Mayegun, the former Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, as a respected leader of the community.
“We know our leaders. We know those who have worked for Ilejemeje. Governor Oyebanji and High Chief Mayegun are respected names. Dada is a stranger trying to insert himself into a history that does not belong to him,” Ajayi said.
The youths then challenged Dada to provide evidence of his supposed position as a former local government secretary. “If he claims he ever served, let him show us documents, minutes, or records. Until then, he remains a faceless impostor with no standing,” Ajayi added.
The youth leader praised Governor Oyebanji’s humility and grassroots engagement, qualities he said have endeared the governor to the people. “Our governor is accessible, responsive, and focused on development. That is why Ilejemeje stands firmly with him. Propaganda cannot erase the goodwill he enjoys,” he emphasized.
Ajayi also cautioned political opportunists from outside the local government against dragging Ilejemeje into manufactured controversies. “Our community is not divided, and we refuse to be used as a battleground for selfish ambitions,” Ajayi warned.
The Youth Leader reaffirmed their commitment: “We disregard Dada completely. Ilejemeje does not know him, and we do not recognize his existence. Our loyalty is with Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji today, tomorrow, and till 2030. Nothing will change that,” he declared.
