Ekiti 2026: EAF Hails Oyebanji’s Emergence as APC Consensus Candidate, Commends ₦14.4bn Gratuity Payments.

Ekiti 2026: EAF Hails Oyebanji’s Emergence as APC Consensus Candidate, Commends ₦14.4bn Gratuity Payments.                                By Olamide Akinwumi 

A socio-political group, Ekiti Advancement Frontiers (EAF), has congratulated the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, on his emergence as the consensus governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial election in the state.

The group, in a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its Convener, Dr. Oso Adedeji, described Oyebanji’s selection as a testament to his performance and track record in office over the past three years.

EAF praised the governor’s strides across key sectors including infrastructure, education, agriculture, social services, and human capital development, noting that his administration had significantly improved the state's standing among its peers.

“Governor Oyebanji's achievements speak volumes. His leadership has made Ekiti a cynosure of all eyes in the comity of states,” the statement said.

The group also lauded Oyebanji’s administration for its recent disbursement of ₦2 billion as part of gratuity payments to pensioners, describing the move as a demonstration of his commitment to the welfare of retirees in the state.

EAF noted that since assuming office in 2022, the governor has paid a total of ₦26 billion in pensions, with ₦7.6 billion previously disbursed as gratuities to state pensioners by September 2025. The additional ₦2 billion brings the total gratuity payments to state pensioners to ₦9.6 billion, while local government pensioners have received ₦4.8 billion—amounting to a combined ₦14.4 billion in gratuity debt settlement.

“This is unprecedented in the history of Ekiti State,” the group said, adding that the development reflects Oyebanji’s resolve to honour commitments to the elderly who served the state meritoriously.

The group also recalled that the governor had cleared eight months of arrears owed to both workers and pensioners, as well as increased the monthly pension by ₦20,000, steps they said showed genuine empathy for senior citizens.

EAF reaffirmed its support for the governor’s re-election bid, urging stakeholders and residents of the state to rally behind him to ensure a resounding victory in the 2026 election.