Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has vehemently denied circulating reports suggesting that he and other political leaders in the state are planning to defect from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under the influence of former Governor Kayode Fayemi.
The governor, through his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, issued a strong statement on Monday describing the allegations as “a tissue of lies” and dismissed them as a desperate attempt by political mischief-makers to create confusion within the APC ranks in Ekiti State.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Oyebanji and the public office holders mentioned in the report, remain firmly rooted in the All Progressives Congress and have no link, nor do they have any plan whatsoever to join the ADC,” Oyebode stated, emphasizing the governor’s unwavering commitment to the ruling party.
The media adviser highlighted Governor Oyebanji’s consistent political trajectory, noting that he has remained within the progressive political movement since the return of democracy in 1999. “Governor Oyebanji had, since the inception of the Fourth Republic in 1999, remained in the progressive fold. He is one of the very few who has never moved out of the progressive movement in Ekiti State,” the statement read.
In defense of former Governor Fayemi, who was also implicated in the defection rumors, Oyebode pointed to his recent participation in APC activities. The statement noted that Fayemi attended the recent APC Caucus meeting held in Iyin-Ekiti, where the caucus endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji for a second term, a decision that received widespread media coverage.
The governor’s office suggested that the defection rumors were part of a calculated strategy to create discord between Oyebanji and President Tinubu by weaponizing his association with Fayemi. However, Oyebode expressed confidence that President Tinubu, described as “a strategic politician,” would see through what he called the “shenanigans and hidden agenda” of those spreading the rumors.
“We are aware of a deliberate attempt by some mischief makers to weaponise Governor Oyebanji’s association with Dr Fayemi in a bid to cause a rift between the Governor and President Tinubu. Unfortunately for these jesters, Mr President is a strategic politician who can see through their shenanigans and hidden agenda,” the statement explained.
The governor’s office attributed the spread of these rumors to “desperate politicians interested in contesting the governorship election in the state” who lack viable strategies to connect with voters. Oyebode criticized these individuals for resorting to social media attacks and spreading what he described as “every imaginable and unintelligent lies against the governor” to mask their political frustrations.
“While these desperate politicians have no clue about how to market their candidature to the Ekiti electorate or connect with the people, they have resorted to attacking the government on social media and heaping up every imaginable and unintelligent lies against the governor in order to mask their frustrations,” the statement continued.
With the Independent National Electoral Commission having announced dates for primary elections, Oyebode challenged opposition politicians to focus on legitimate campaign activities rather than spreading unfounded rumors. He urged them to “be bold enough to come out and sell their candidature to party members and Ekitikete rather than seeking an ignoble way to gatecrash.”
The governor’s office concluded by urging Ekiti residents to disregard what it termed “childish media attacks” sponsored by politicians seeking to gain political advantage through misinformation campaigns. The statement reinforced Oyebanji’s commitment to the APC and his continued cooperation with both former Governor Fayemi and President Tinubu in advancing the party’s interests in Ekiti State.
