Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has firmly dismissed reports alleging his defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing the claims as false, misleading, and a deliberate attempt to sow discord within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, the governor denounced the report—which also implicated other APC leaders and officeholders—as “a tissue of lies” allegedly being peddled by disgruntled political elements.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Biodun Oyebanji and the public office holders mentioned in the report remain firmly rooted in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and have no links or plans whatsoever to join the ADC,” the statement read.
The report had claimed that former Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi was leading Oyebanji and other APC stalwarts into the ADC. However, Oyebode noted that Dr. Fayemi recently attended an APC caucus meeting in Iyin-Ekiti, where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji were both endorsed for second terms—an event widely covered in the media.
Oyebode stressed that Governor Oyebanji, since the advent of the Fourth Republic in 1999, has remained unwavering in his commitment to the progressive movement and has never defected from the bloc.
The statement also accused unnamed “desperate politicians” of sponsoring the false narrative to create friction between Oyebanji and President Tinubu.
“These mischief-makers are attempting to weaponise the Governor’s long-standing relationship with Dr. Fayemi to pitch him against Mr. President. But President Tinubu is a strategic leader who can see through their antics and hidden agenda,” it added.
Urging the public to disregard what it termed a “childish media attack,” the statement challenged those eyeing the Governorship seat to present their agenda to the people rather than relying on misinformation.
“Now that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the date for the primary election, we expect 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 statement concluded.
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