A governorship aspirant under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ekiti State, Prof. Olumuyiwa Babalola, on has dismissed insinuations that recent endorsements of Governor Biodun Oyebanji by some stakeholders in the state were enough to discourage the opposition.
In a statement he issued in Ado-Ekiti, Babalola, who was first to announce gubernatorial aspiration under the ADC platform, shortly after it’s launch in Ekiti, said no amount of such endorcement can dissuade the opposition, especially the ADC from winning the June 20, 2026 Ekiti gubernatorial election, and forming the next government.
The renown diplomat and development expert, in the statement, titled, “If They Did It, So Can We”, drew lessons from opposition wins in other Nigerian states, in recent past, saying the ruling party in the state should stop counting their chickens before they are hatched.
“If Nigerians, especially political watchers, are not too forgetful, successful opposition victories in states like Oyo, Edo, and Osun, are ready case studies for how Ekiti’s 2026 race can be won, despite the so called endorcements, or systemic obstacles like vote-buying, entrenched loyalty networks, and electoral bias.
“Recall that in Oyo, Makinde overcame money politics, with message clarity and coalition strength.
“In Edo, Obaseki fought state-backed opposition, with relentless grassroots engagement, and in Osun, Adeleke countered loyalty networks, with sustained visibility and voter empowerment,” he said.
He emphasised that their campaigns and eventual wins did not just become by. they succeeded, not just on message, but on mechanics-tight LGA coordination, ward-based canvassing, digital monitoring, and alliance-building
Babalola said he would be adapting these lessons, through what he called the “Adaptive Opposition Model”, which includes: community-based anti-vote-buying tactics, such as early voter pledges and integrity captains, to guard against tampered results, as allegedly piloted in some of the states.
He also highlighted that he would offer N20,000 monthly stipend for all unemployed persons in the state, as real-time value to voters, often swayed by temporary cash inducements.
“The lesson is clear: money can’t defeat movement. If the people believe the campaign is for them, they will defend it with their votes. That’s what happened in other states-and that’s what we’re building here in Ekiti.”
Babalola concluded by declaring Ekiti 2026 as not just an election but a strategic opportunity to win over a government in power.
“We are not entering blindly. We are entering, armed with precedence, strategy, and a people-first agenda.”
The post Ekiti 2026: ADC not bothered by Oyebanji’s endorsement for second term appeared first on The Sun Nigeria.
