Ekiti Govt Debunks Defection Rumour, Reaffirms Oyebanji’s Loyalty to APC
The Government of Ekiti State has firmly debunked a circulating online report alleging that Governor Biodun Oyebanji, alongside some leaders and public office holders, is planning to defect from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under the influence of former Governor Kayode Fayemi.
In a statement signed by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, the report was described as false, misleading, and the handiwork of unscrupulous individuals bent on creating confusion within the political space.
“The attention of the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has been drawn to a false and misleading report being circulated online by some unscrupulous individuals,” the statement read. “The faceless individuals alleged that Governor Oyebanji and other leaders were being led to the ADC by the immediate past Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi. This is a tissue of lies from some disgruntled elements.”
Oyebode reaffirmed that Governor Oyebanji and the public office holders mentioned in the report remain firmly rooted in the APC and have no affiliations or plans to join any other political party.
The statement also clarified that Dr. Fayemi, who was referenced in the controversial report, recently attended the APC caucus meeting in Iyin Ekiti, where party leaders endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji for a second term—an event that received widespread media coverage.
Highlighting the governor’s long-standing commitment to the progressive fold since 1999, Oyebode said: “Governor Oyebanji has never moved out of the progressive movement in Ekiti State.”
He alleged that the falsehood was being propagated by political mischief makers seeking to drive a wedge between Governor Oyebanji and President Tinubu by weaponising his association with Dr. Fayemi.
“These desperate politicians, who clearly lack the capacity to engage with the electorate or market their candidacy, have resorted to unintelligent lies and attacks on social media,” the statement continued.
With the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) having released the date for the forthcoming party primaries, the Ekiti State Government challenged aspirants to come out openly to campaign and sell their visions to party members and the people of Ekiti, rather than hiding behind falsehoods.
Residents of Ekiti were urged to disregard the rumour and remain focused on the ongoing developmental strides of the APC-led administration in the state.
