By Olumide Paul Akomolafe |Journalist/Political Analyst
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As the 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State gathers momentum, the political atmosphere is thickening with intrigues, alignments, betrayals, and quiet recalibrations across party lines. What initially appeared destined to be a smooth ride for the incumbent, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, has now morphed into a more complex contest that promises to test the strength of internal democracy within the All Progressives Congress (APC), the resilience of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the emerging disruptive energy of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The Ekiti story has always been unique. It is a state where political consciousness is high, where the electorate often defies predictions, and where grassroots sentiment tends to outweigh elite calculations. In this context, 2026 cannot be written off as a mere coronation for incumbency. Instead, the election is shaping up as a contest of narratives, credibility, and coalition-building.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji, backed by the enormous machinery of incumbency, is naturally positioned as the frontrunner within APC. Also A large section of the party feels betrayed by Oyebanji’s approach to governance, particularly his visible romance with former Governor Ayodele Fayose, a PDP stalwart who now enjoys unusual influence in appointments and state affairs. For many within APC, this is nothing short of heresy: the idea that a sitting APC governor would prioritize a sworn opponent over loyal party leaders who fought to secure victory. The consequence has been simmering resentment, muted grumblings, and quiet rebellion among stakeholders who feel sidelined.
Enter Engr. Kayode Ojo. Ojo is no stranger to Ekiti politics. A metallurgical engineer, accomplished businessman, and philanthropist, he has contested twice for governorship under the APC. To his detractors, these attempts are painted as “failures.” But in truth, his consistency reveals something more fundamental: resilience. Nigerian political history is replete with leaders who contested multiple times before eventual triumph, Late President Muhammadu Buhari being the most prominent example. Engr Kayode Ojo’s repeated bid is therefore not weakness; it is a testament to his staying power and faith in democracy.
What distinguishes Engr Ojo from the pack is his hybrid identity: part technocrat, part politician. Unlike many who disappear after elections, he has remained present in Ekiti, engaging communities, supporting initiatives, and contributing to public welfare. In a polity where voters complain about leaders who vanish once ballots are counted, Ojo has chosen a different path: consistency of presence.
Beyond his visibility at home, Ojo’s rising stock is also tied to his long-standing loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Long before Tinubu’s ascent to the presidency, Ojo had been quietly aligned with the progressive family, drawing inspiration from Tinubu’s politics of resilience, coalition-building, and capacity for long-term strategy. His consistency in this loyalty has not gone unnoticed. Today, with Tinubu at the center of national power, Ojo’s alignment with that political current has become an asset rather than a footnote.
Even more significantly, Ojo is increasingly being linked to the quiet but strategic support of Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals and one of Tinubu’s most trusted allies. Alake is not just another cabinet member; he is a confidant of the President, a man whose political weight carries influence far beyond Ekiti. The perception that Ojo enjoys goodwill from Alake, and by extension from the Tinubu circle, has unsettled Oyebanji’s camp. It suggests that Ojo is not just a local aspirant but part of the broader national calculus within APC. This is where Ojo’s patience and deliberate networking distinguish him from many others. He has avoided noisy battles, choosing instead to cultivate relationships at the highest levels of the party.
The implication is clear: while Oyebanji leans heavily on incumbency, Ojo is presenting himself as the bridge between Ekiti and the Tinubu presidency, the candidate who can align the state with the center in both vision and execution. In a party where proximity to the President and his trusted circle often determines momentum, this is no small advantage.
For the Peoples Democratic Party, the past few years have been bruising. Once the dominant force in Ekiti, the party has suffered electoral setbacks, internal divisions, and a visible drain of key leaders into rival platforms. Yet, the PDP remains relevant. In Ekiti politics, one can never fully write off a party with such deep historical roots and structures at the ward level. What the PDP appears to be doing at the moment is quiet repositioning. Names like Dr. Wole Oluyede and other party stalwarts are still in the frame, and there is a deliberate attempt to regroup ahead of the polls. Their challenge, however, is enormous: they must present a unifying candidate capable of rallying both the elite and grassroots, while simultaneously fighting the perception that the party is losing steam. If the PDP fails to resolve its internal contradictions, its role in 2026 may be reduced to that of a spoiler, unable to capture the governorship but strong enough to fracture votes that would otherwise consolidate in one direction.
Perhaps the most intriguing development in Ekiti politics today is the sudden rise of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). In July 2025, the ADC pulled a political masterstroke by welcoming a string of heavyweights into its fold: Prof. Kolapo Olusola-Eleka, former deputy governor under Fayose; Amb. Dare Bejide, a respected diplomat and one-time SSG; alongside others like Akin Omole and Gboyega Aribisogan. Collectively, these men represent diverse constituencies of influence, cutting across both APC and PDP backgrounds. The ADC’s strength lies not just in personalities but in what they symbolize: disaffection with the status quo. For disillusioned voters and sidelined politicians, ADC offers an alternative vehicle, one that can channel frustrations into a structured political movement. Whether the party has the organizational depth to convert this into outright victory is another matter. But what is certain is that ADC cannot be dismissed. It has the potential to disrupt voting patterns, split blocs, and even act as a kingmaker if the contest becomes tight.
The Ekiti governorship election will be decided by three factors. First is internal cohesion within APC. If Oyebanji secures the ticket without a rancorous fallout, he enters the general election with a formidable advantage. But if the primaries fracture the party, especially if Ojo or his supporters feel shortchanged, the APC could face a crisis similar to 2014, when internal sabotage handed victory to the opposition. Second is the PDP’s capacity to regroup. A weak PDP benefits APC, but a rejuvenated PDP could make the election highly competitive, especially in central and southern Ekiti where the party still enjoys goodwill. Third is ADC’s disruptive capacity. The new entrants into ADC are not political lightweights. If they consolidate behind a single strong candidate, they may not only split votes but even challenge for outright victory in a three-horse race.
When all is said and done, Engr. Kayode Ojo stands out as a candidate who embodies both resilience and renewal. His personal wealth gives him campaign capacity, but his real strength is human connection. Unlike career politicians who often alienate their own supporters, Ojo has built loyalty through accessibility, humility, and generosity. He is calm without being passive, assertive without being confrontational. His quiet loyalty to Tinubu, his perceived goodwill from trusted allies like Dele Alake, and his grassroots connection in Ekiti combine to make him a serious contender. In an APC torn between loyalty to incumbency and desire for fairness, Kayode Ojo represents a credible alternative. In a broader political landscape where voters are skeptical of recycled promises, he offers a refreshing brand of politics rooted in visibility and sincerity.
If the APC truly desires to prove its democratic credentials, its primaries must not be reduced to an incumbent coronation. The people of Ekiti deserve a choice. And in that choice, Ojo cannot be wished away.
Ekiti 2026 will not be business as usual. The APC faces an internal storm, the PDP is quietly reawakening, and the ADC has positioned itself as a disruptive force. What is certain is that the election will test not just the resilience of political parties, but the political maturity of Ekiti itself. For now, all eyes are on the APC primary. And in that arena, the battle between Oyebanji and Kayode Ojo is not just a contest of personalities, but a referendum on whether incumbency guarantees a second term, or whether resilience, credibility, national loyalty, and grassroots connection can rewrite the script. In that test, Engr. Kayode Ojo is already proving that he is more than just an aspirant. He is becoming the story.
