The Sun
Renowned diplomat and international development expert Otunba Olumuyiwa Babalola has officially declared his intention to contest the 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State under the banner of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
While presenting himself as the bridge between global opportunities and local transformation, Otunba Babalola pledged to leverage his vast international connections to attract investments, jobs, and lasting infrastructure to Ekiti.
“I have served across borders, but my heart has never left Ekiti. Our people deserve more than promises. They deserve progress that speaks in roads, jobs, education, and dignity. If I emerge as the ADC candidate, I will defeat Governor Oyebanji at the polls,” Babalola stated during a press briefing in Ado-Ekiti.
Babalola also pledged a ₦20,000 monthly stipend for unemployed citizens, regardless of their educational background.
He emphasised that the initiative is not a handout but a launchpad to empower families, reduce crime, and restore economic dignity.
Babalola also rallied around the growing demand for political balance in Ekiti State, drawing attention to the fact that since the return to democratic rule in 1999, the southern region of Ekiti has never produced a state governor.
He described the situation as a democratic imbalance that must be corrected.
“This is not just a candidacy. It is a movement for justice. The South Agenda is long overdue, and with our people behind us, we will make history together,” he assured.
With a diplomatic background and proven record of negotiation at the global level, Babalola promised to bring not only hope but also high-level execution to governance.
According to the diplomat, his campaign slogan, ‘Ekiti to the World, South to the Front’, encapsulates his dual vision of elevating Ekiti on the international stage while restoring equity within the state.
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