Beyond Politics: Bamidele Strengthens Women’s Rights Advocacy, Donates Brand-New Bus to FIDA Ekiti.

Beyond Politics: Bamidele Strengthens Women’s Rights Advocacy, Donates Brand-New Bus to FIDA Ekiti.

The Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, has donated a brand-new Toyota Hiace bus to the Ekiti State Branch of the International Federation of Women Lawyers to strengthen the organisation's advocacy and legal interventions for women and children.

The donation was made on Monday during the 2026 FIDA Ekiti Law Week, held under the theme, “Justice in a Changing World: Responding to New Challenges Affecting Women and Children.”

Bamidele, who represents Ekiti Central Senatorial District, also delivered a lecture at the event, where he called for stronger legal and institutional measures to address the growing challenges confronting women and children in Nigeria.

The Senate Leader described the protection of women and children as a constitutional responsibility and an essential requirement for national development and stability.

He identified gender-based violence, human trafficking, digital blackmail, economic inequality, inadequate healthcare, political underrepresentation and digital exclusion as some of the major challenges facing women.

He also raised concerns over child abuse, trafficking, child labour, early marriage, malnutrition, limited access to quality education and online exploitation, urging relevant institutions to strengthen efforts towards addressing the problems.

Bamidele stressed the need for stronger legal frameworks, effective enforcement of existing laws, adequate funding and institutional accountability, noting that the country must move beyond making laws to ensuring their effective implementation and measurable impact.

The newly donated bus, specially branded for FIDA Ekiti, is expected to improve the organisation's mobility and strengthen its capacity to reach women and children in need of legal assistance, advocacy and other interventions across the state.

Earlier, the Chairperson of FIDA Ekiti, Mrs Ayobami Olowoyo, described the theme of the law week as timely, reaffirming the association's commitment to promoting access to justice and protecting the rights of women and children.

The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Prof. Smarander Olarinde, the keynote speaker; the Chief Judge of Ekiti State; the Onise of Odo-Oro Ekiti, Oba Babatunde Jemileyin; Hon. Steve Olusola Fatoba; the Deputy Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Bolaji Egbeyemi Olagbaju; and Hon. Fakunle Okieimen Iyabo, among others.

OYEBANJI REAPPOINTS OLATONA AS INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE CHAIRMAN.

OYEBANJI REAPPOINTS OLATONA AS INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE CHAIRMAN.

…Names Ishola Akingbade Chairman of Ekiti State Security Trust Fund.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has approved the reappointment of the Executive Chairman of the Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service, Mr Olaniran Olatona, for another four-year term.

The reappointment takes effect from November 1, 2026.

A formal request for the confirmation of Olatona’s appointment will be transmitted to the Ekiti State House of Assembly by the Governor this week.

Olatona, an accomplished professional and public servant, is a Chartered Accountant and Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). He hails from Okemesi-Ekiti.

He was first appointed Executive Chairman of the State Internal Revenue Service in November 2022. Under his leadership, the State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has recorded remarkable growth of over 60 per cent, thereby strengthening the Government’s capacity to finance public services and deliver on its development agenda.

In a related development, Governor Oyebanji has appointed a financial management expert and former Commissioner for Finance in the State, Mr Ishola Akingbade, as Chairman of the Ekiti State Security Trust Fund.

Akingbade, a seasoned administrator and tax expert, is a Chartered Accountant and Fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN). He also holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Financial Management and hails from Ilukuno-Ekiti, in Ijero Local Government area of the State. 

His appointment takes immediate effect.

Signed Olayinka Oyebode

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

01- 11- 2026

Ajijola Hails Oyebanji as Ekiti APC Targets 600,000 Votes for Tinubu.

Ajijola Hails Oyebanji as Ekiti APC Targets 600,000 Votes for Tinubu.

Chief Lateef Ajijola, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Ekiti State, has commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji for inaugurating the state’s Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 presidential election, describing the move as a strategic step towards securing victory for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Ajijola gave the commendation on Friday during the inauguration of the Ekiti State APC Presidential Campaign Council at the Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office in Ado-Ekiti.

The ceremony brought together prominent political figures, including Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye, Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye, former governors and deputy governors, members of the National Assembly, serving and former lawmakers, political appointees, local government chairmen and other stakeholders.

Also in attendance were governorship candidates of other political parties, reflecting a broad coalition of political interests in support of Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Ajijola praised Oyebanji’s leadership and ability to unite political stakeholders across party lines, noting that the governor’s approach had strengthened the APC’s mobilisation drive and created an opportunity for the party to improve on its previous electoral performance.

He said the inauguration demonstrated the party’s determination to consolidate its political strength in Ekiti and mobilise voters at the grassroots ahead of the January 16, 2027 presidential election.

Addressing members of the council, Oyebanji challenged them to move beyond organising rallies and campaigns to identifying and mobilising registered voters who failed to participate in previous elections.

The governor said the council must focus on voter tracking across polling units, particularly the more than 600,000 registered voters who did not participate in the June governorship election.

Oyebanji recalled that the APC secured 85.7 per cent of the votes cast in the governorship election but expressed concern that fewer than 400,000 people voted out of approximately one million registered voters.

He said the party should aim to secure at least 90 per cent of the total number of registered voters for Tinubu, describing anything short of the target as a collective failure by council members.

The governor also urged party leaders to intensify voter education and prepare for possible operational challenges associated with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and electronic transmission of election results.

Ajijola further expressed confidence that the council, comprising experienced political leaders and grassroots mobilisers, would work towards delivering a strong electoral performance for the APC in Ekiti State.

He stressed the importance of effective coordination, strategic voter engagement and sustained grassroots mobilisation in achieving the party’s objectives ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

EKITI STATE GOVERNMENT DISASSOCIATES ITSELF FROM SOWORE’S ALLEGED ORDEAL.

EKITI STATE GOVERNMENT DISASSOCIATES ITSELF FROM SOWORE’S ALLEGED ORDEAL.

The Ekiti State Government has dismissed allegations by the African Action Congress (AAC) candidate, Omoyele Sowore, linking the State Government to his reported attack at a food outlet in Ado-Ekiti on Friday.

The Government would ordinarily have ignored the allegation, particularly in view of what it considers to be Sowore’s history of making unfounded claims, peddling fake news, and launching media attacks against the State Government over the past four years. However, as a responsible government, it considers it necessary to set the records straight and prevent members of the public from being misled.

While the organisers of the Ikogosi Marathon and the Ekiti State Police Command have issued official statements on the incident, the circumstances surrounding Sowore’s visit and the reported altercation raise questions about the motive behind his actions. The Government, however, leaves the determination of the facts of the matter to the appropriate authorities.

It is particularly absurd, however, to suggest that a state widely recognised for the remarkably peaceful conduct of its recent governorship campaign and election would resort to harassing or hounding an inconsequential presidential candidate.  

The Ekiti State Government therefore dissociates itself totally from the incident and calls on the Police authorities to conduct a thorough investigation, identify those responsible and ensure that they are brought to justice.

The Government also wishes to reiterate its commitment to sustaining Ekiti State’s reputation as one of the most peaceful states in the country, founded on respect for the rule of law, democratic principles and tolerance of diverse social and political views.

The Government remains committed to protecting the rights and safety of all residents and visitors to the State, irrespective of their political affiliations or opinions.

ADDRESS ME SIMPLY AS “MR GOVERNOR”, OYEBANJI CAUTIONS SUPPORTERS AGAINST PRAISE-SINGING.

ADDRESS ME SIMPLY AS “MR GOVERNOR”, OYEBANJI CAUTIONS SUPPORTERS AGAINST PRAISE-SINGING.

…Says election is over, governance has begun.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has cautioned his supporters and political associates against excessive praise-singing and the use of grandiose political appellations, urging them to address him simply as “Mr Governor”.

The Governor maintained that all praises and accolades belong to God Almighty and that no political leader should be accorded attributes reserved for God.

Governor Oyebanji gave the admonition on Friday evening at the October edition of the monthly Evening of Praise and Worship programme held at Lady Jibowu Hall, Government House, Ado-Ekiti.

He said the period of political campaigns and elections had ended, stressing that the State had entered a new phase focused on governance, service delivery and the fulfilment of promises to the people.

Emphasising the need to avoid elevating political leaders to a status comparable to God, the Governor specifically disapproved of appellations such as “Jinx Breaker”, “Owi Bee, Se Bee”, “History Maker” and “Back to Back”, among others.

He said: “I think we have to put an end to all these appellations. Election is over, and from today, just address me as Mr Governor. I don’t want to hear all these appellations such as ‘Jinx Breaker’, ‘History Maker’ and all the rest.

“I permitted them because it was an election season. Election is over now, a new government has been sworn in, and we are in the era of governance. Politics is over. I don’t want anybody to equate me with God or give me an appellation that is an attribute of God.”

Speaking further, Governor Oyebanji attributed the relative peace, stability and development recorded in Ekiti State, particularly over the last four years, to the grace of God.

He said the achievements of his administration and the peaceful atmosphere across the State were testimonies to God’s faithfulness and continued intervention in its affairs.

The Governor expressed confidence that the same God who had guided the State thus far would continue to sustain it, urging residents to remain steadfast in their faith and trust in God for greater accomplishments.

“I love the theme of this month’s edition because this is the first Evening of Praise and Worship since this new administration was inaugurated, and the theme is apt. We are just here to praise God, and I know that as we praise God on behalf of Ekiti State, He will speak to us and also step into our situation,” the Governor said

Dignitaries at the programme included the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye; Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Habibat Adubiaro; Head of Service, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi; Chief of Staff, Mr Oyeniyi Adebayo; and President, Baptist Convention, Ekiti State, and Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Emmanuel Aribasoye, among others.

𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳: 𝗢𝘆𝗲𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗷𝗶 𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘂𝗴𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗘𝗸𝗶𝘁𝗶 𝗔𝗣𝗖 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹.

𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳: 𝗢𝘆𝗲𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗷𝗶 𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘂𝗴𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗘𝗸𝗶𝘁𝗶 𝗔𝗣𝗖 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹.

…𝗧𝗮𝘀𝗸𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗩𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘀𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝟵𝟬 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘃𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has inaugurated the State’s  All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council with a charge to accelerate grassroots mobilisation and secure victory for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

 The inauguration ceremony, held at the Conference Hall of the Governor's office in Ado-Ekiti on Friday, brought together key party leaders, including the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. (Hon.) Adeoye Aribasoye, former governors, former Deputy Governors, serving and former members of the national assembly and the state House of Assembly, serving federal political appointees, governorship candidates of other political parties, local government chairmen, and political stakeholders from across the 16 local government areas of the state.

Addressing members of the council shortly after the inauguration, Governor Oyebanji emphasized that the critical task before the council is not organizing campaigns and rallies, but ensuring that registered voters who failed to participate in previous elections are identified and mobilized to vote. 

He said the focus should be on unit-by-unit tracking of registered voters across the State.

Reflecting on the state’s gubernatorial poll where the party secured 85.7% of total votes cast, Governor Oyebanji declared that anything short of 90 percent of total number of registered voters for President Tinubu would be a collective failure on the PCC members. 

"The real work is to get the voters registered in a unit and identify those who don't want to vote. Our focus should be on voter tracking."

Expressing concern over poor turnout figures during the governorship election in June, Governor Oyebanji highlighted the gap between one million registered voters and less than 400,000 citizens who actually voted, tasking the committee to discover why over 600,000 registered cardholders stayed at home, stressing the need to bring them to the polls in January to vote for the President.

Acknowledging potential operational obstacles with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and electronic transmission, the Governor urged party stakeholders to develop strategic workarounds through continuous voter education and mobilization.

“We don't like to do the heavy lifting. We want to do campaigns, arrange cars and drive round towns. We are notngoingbtonso that this time around. Our real work is to get the voters registered in each unit and identify those who have not come out to vote. After this inauguration, everybody should go out and agree on how we are going to do voter tracking. That is our job.

“We can’t have a quality collection of leaders like this, and still be sitting on 400,000 votes. That is something we should never contemplate. The most important assignment we have now is to track those voters, to track the 600,000 people who did not come out to vote and find out why they did not come out.” The Governor asserted.

Earlier, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Barr. Sola Elesin charged members of the Council (PCC) to work assiduously towards securing unprecedented votes for President Tinubu in the January 16, 2027 presidential election.

The APC chairman described the assignment before the council members as a serious national responsibility, expressing confidence that their wealth of political experience and commitment would translate into victory for the President.

Elesin said members of the council had been carefully selected based on their pedigree and previous contributions and proven capacity to deliver electoral victories, urging them to deploy their wealth of experience, political networks and organisational abilities towards ensuring a resounding victory for the party.

He noted that the political landscape in Ekiti had witnessed an unprecedented level of collaboration, with members of other political parties and some governorship candidates also joining the campaign effort. According to the party chairman, the growing coalition reflects the governor's ability to provide purposeful leadership, demonstrate humility and bring people together, thereby promoting unity and peaceful coexistence in the state.

Delivering an acceptance speech on behalf of the council members, the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, assured President Bola Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji, of the readiness and commitment of members of to deliver an improved electoral performance for the party as he commended the Governor for ensuring that the composition of the council was comprehensive and inclusive of all relevant stakeholders.

He expressed appreciation to the governor for the confidence reposed in the members through their appointments, noting that the inauguration marked the beginning of a serious assignment towards securing victory for President Tinubu in the forthcoming election. 

The Senate Leader however cautioned against taking the assignment with levity, stressing that the council was determined to surpass the previous electoral record and secure a significantly higher number of votes for the President in Ekiti State.

While also acknowledging the presence of governorship candidates from other political parties and other political leaders at the inauguration, Senator Bamidele described their participation as significant to the collective political effort to re-elect President Tinubu.

The Senate Leader welcomed them into the council's fold and urged them to feel at home, noting that many of them had shared political backgrounds and relationships with the APC before moving to other political platforms. He expressed optimism that their renewed political collaboration would produce a historic outcome that none of the stakeholders would regret.

Ajijola Hails Oyebanji’s Capacity to Mobilise Massive Votes for Tinubu.

Ajijola Hails Oyebanji’s Capacity to Mobilise Massive Votes for Tinubu.

An All Progressives Congress chieftain in Ekiti State, Chief Lateef Ajijola, has commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji for his unwavering support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, expressing confidence in the governor’s ability to mobilise unprecedented votes for the President in the state.

Ajijola gave the commendation during the inauguration of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement in Ekiti State, where Oyebanji reiterated his commitment to securing massive electoral support for Tinubu.

The APC chieftain praised the governor’s leadership and grassroots appeal, describing them as important factors that could strengthen the President’s re-election prospects in Ekiti State.

He noted that Oyebanji had consistently attributed the achievements of his administration to the benevolent leadership and support of President Tinubu, stressing that the governor’s position reflected the importance of cooperation between the state and federal governments.

Ajijola expressed optimism that the growing support for the APC in Ekiti State would translate into overwhelming votes for Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.