Mr. Ajayi Ayodeji, a close aide to Engr. Kayode Ojo from Ilejemeje Local Government Area, has described his principal as a highly strategic leader who is quietly but effectively consolidating his political base across Ekiti State. According to Mr. Ajayi, many people may not fully understand the level of groundwork Engr. Ojo has put in place over the years within the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ajayi stated that Kayode Ojo enjoys widespread grassroots support, with loyalists present in nearly every unit and ward across the 16 local government areas of Ekiti. He hinted that Ojo is most likely to make a formal declaration of his governorship ambition in the coming days, as momentum continues to build around his potential candidacy.
“Engr. Kayode Ojo is seriously working and he has supporters across all units and wards. His strategy is not loud, but it is very effective,” Mr. Ajayi said.
The political atmosphere within the Ekiti APC has become increasingly tense, especially amid claims that Governor Biodun Oyebanji is seeking endorsement from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to boost his re-election campaign. Mr. Ajayi accused the governor of frequently traveling to Abuja in hopes of securing the president’s backing—a move he described as desperate and unnecessary.
“Governor Oyebanji is always running to Abuja expecting endorsement from Tinubu because he knows Kayode Ojo is more popular among party members,” Ajayi alleged.
He further urged former governors of Ekiti State to allow President Tinubu to focus on his responsibilities as Nigeria’s leader, rather than drag him into local political scheming. Ajayi noted that each former governor reserves the right to support any aspirant, but emphasized that President Tinubu should not be distracted from national governance.
Mr. Ajayi also used the opportunity to criticize the Oyebanji administration, lamenting the poor state of infrastructure across Ekiti State. He alleged that since assuming office, Governor Oyebanji has failed to complete any meaningful physical project and has instead focused on political survival.
According to him, several Special Assistants (S.A.s) appointed by the governor have no functional offices or roles but are allegedly tasked with attacking senior APC leaders who refuse to support Oyebanji’s second term bid.
“The roads are in terrible shape and there’s no major project to point to. Instead, the governor is appointing aides without portfolios just to insult party elders on social media,” Ajayi lamented.
Engr. Kayode Ojo, a prominent businessman and politician, currently serves as the Chairman of the Governing Council at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). A two-time governorship aspirant under the APC, Ojo is seen by many within the party as a strong contender ahead of the 2026 elections. He is credited with financing party structures during difficult times and maintaining a loyal support base that spans urban and rural areas alike.
Ajayi said if a primary election were conducted today, Ojo would easily defeat Oyebanji due to the overwhelming grassroots support he enjoys.
“Ojo is loved by the people and cannot be stopped. What we’re witnessing now is the panic reaction of those who know they are losing relevance,” he added.
In recent weeks, tensions have escalated between supporters of Governor Oyebanji and those of Engr. Kayode Ojo, with social media jabs, underground mobilization, and increasing verbal warfare reflecting deepening divisions within the APC in Ekiti. As the 2026 governorship race approaches, all eyes remain on when Ojo will officially declare and how the party will manage the growing internal competition.
