Ekiti 2026: Governor Oyebanji Extends Olive Branch to Co-Contestants, Says “No Victory, No Vanquish”.

Ekiti 2026: Governor Oyebanji Extends Olive Branch to Co-Contestants, Says “No Victory, No Vanquish”.

Governor Abiodun Oyebanji, the Executive Governor of Ekiti State, has once again demonstrated uncommon political maturity by placing the peace and unity of our great party — the All Progressives Congress (APC)  above personal ambition or political rivalry.

In a rare display of political mayirity on Thursday, Mr. Governor urged his supporters and all APC members to embrace unity ahead of the June 20, 2026 governorship election, emphasizing that the contest for the party’s ticket is a family affair. He declared, “There is no victor, no vanquish,  we are all winners.”

It would be recalled that four party members: Governor Abiodun Oyebanji, Engineer Kayode Ojo, Mrs. Abimbola Olawumi, and Mrs. Atinuke Oluremi Omolayo  had earlier expressed interest in the APC governorship ticket. Following the screening exercise by the APC National Working Committee, Governor Oyebanji and Mrs. Omolayo were cleared for the primaries slated for October 27, while Ojo and Olawumi were disqualified. Subsequently, Mrs. Omolayo graciously withdrew from the race, paving the way for Governor Oyebanji to emerge as the consensus candidate of the party.

Commending this gesture of inclusion, the Oyebanji Street Vanguard (OSV), the foremost grassroots sensitisation and mobilisation movement for continuity of good governance  lauded the Governor for extending a hand of friendship to his co-contestants. The group praised his magnanimity in declaring that “nobody has lost this contest; in truth, we have all won. Let us celebrate with grace, not insult anyone.”

In the same spirit, OSV appealed to all contestants, especially Engineer Kayode Ojo, to consider the larger interest of the APC, the good people of Ekiti State, and the vision of Mr. President, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, who graciously appointed him as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti.

The group further called on all political leaders across Ekiti State to promptly follow up on this olive branch extended by the Governor by reabsorbing and integrating all party members and supporters into the fold. According to the group, this act of unity is essential to strengthen the APC ahead of the 2026/2027 electoral cycle and to sustain the legacy of good governance already being championed by Governor Oyebanji.

Signed:

HC Ade

Convener, Oyebanji Street Vanguard (OSV)