* Otunba Olugbenga Peter Obafemi(OPO)
Stephen Adeyinka, Ado Ekiti
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
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The Ekiti State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary election has come and gone.
A lot of underground political maneuvering has taken place to scuttle the election so that the Ekiti State PDP doesn’t have a candidate or, at worst, presents a candidate that will be sympathetic to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in the Saturday June 20 ,2026 Ekiti Governorship Election.
According to the time table of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the conduct of party primaries in Ekiti State including resolution of disputes arising from the conduct must end on Monday November 10, 2025.
Four gladiators presented for the primary, and they were Dr. Wole Oluyede, Otunba Olugbenga Peter Obafemi, Mr. Funso Ayeni, and Mrs. Funmilayo Ogun.
According to reliable sources, Funso Ayeni and Mrs. Funmilayo Ogun, who are loyalists of former Ekiti State governor Ayo Fayose, were allegedly put forward to ensure continuity of the APC government in the state.
However, the other two aspirants, Oluyede and Obafemi, are said to be PDP tokantokan who want the return of the PDP government on June 20, 2026, via the election.
It was gathered that Otunba Obafemi had prior information following continuous altering of the delegate lists to ensure Funso Ayeni won the primary.
However, Otunba Obafemi, whose main concern has been to wrestle the party from those whose main objective is for the party to be in a coma indefinitely, sprang surprises at the Vino Event Center, the venue of the election, by announcing publicly before the voting commenced that he was stepping down for Oluyede and also directed his delegates to cast their votes for Oluyede.
Otunba Obafemi, an unassuming master strategist and accomplished business mogul, stepped down in order not to split the votes, particularly between the PDP tokantokan, and thereby give advantage to the pro-Fayose candidates.
At the end of the voting, Dr. Wole Oluyede scored 279 votes; Funso Ayeni, 239 votes; and Mrs. Funmilayo Ogun, 17 votes.
The full speech of Obafemi that turned the table against the pro-Fayose candidates
My dear delegates,
I greet you from the depths of my heart today, not as a politician, but as a loyal party man and as one of you. I greet you with a heavy heart today.
This is not an easy moment for me. In fact, it is one of the most painful decisions I have ever had to make. After deep reflection and love for our great party, not out of fear or weakness, but out of commitment to the survival and future of our dear party, PDP, and Ekiti State. I have decided to step down from this race.
We can all see the manipulations happening within our system. Some among us wear PDP colors by day but secretly work for the APC by night. These people want to weaken our party and sell its soul for personal gain. We must not let that happen. We must not allow their schemes to destroy the house we built with sweat and sacrifice.
We must be wiser. That is why I am stepping down for my brother and friend, Dr. Wole Oluyede, a man of integrity and capacity who shares my vision. He represents the hope to rebuild PDP, reclaim our lost glory, and take power back to the people.
My dear delegates, this is not the time to sell your votes for peanuts. Supporting the wrong candidate will destroy not just our party but the future of Ekiti itself. Let us stand for truth, unity, and credibility.
I may be stepping down, but I remain loyal to our cause. Together, we can bring PDP back to life and restore the pride of Ekiti.
Vote for a candidate who can lead PDP back to its winning days; vote for Dr. Wole Oluyede.
God bless PDP.
God bless Ekiti State.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Reactions.
Reactions trailed the results; party members and leaders praised Otunba Obafemi and called him the hero of the election and rescuer of the Ekiti PDP.
A leader of the party and former member of the National Assembly said, “OPO is not only the hero of the primary election but also rescued the party from the jegudujeras. Ekiti PDP has been consigned to the dustbin for long by them, but OPO now has changed the fortune of the party by stepping down in order for Oluyede to win.”
“OPO, you are the hero of this primary, and we are happy that you rescued the party from Fayose. You prevented the emergence of Fayose candidates. Thank you so much.”
– Babson
” Your bold campaign was never just about winning an election — it was about shifting the conversation, elevating the discourse, and reminding the party of its deepest values. This wasn’t your first run, and it certainly won’t be your last. You’ve proven, once again, that your leadership is not defined by a single race, but by a sustained commitment to progress.
Though you’ve conceded for the greater good, your role in this process will shape the incoming administration in profound ways. You’ve laid the intellectual and moral foundation upon which the next government must build. But before that future unfolds, you will continue to lead the party to victory—rallying the base, energizing the movement, and ensuring that your voice remains central to the administration’s agenda.
Your supporters stand with you — unwavering, undeterred, and full of hope. We know what comes next: we win the election, we eject the incumbent, and we deliver your principles to the heart of the next administration. This is not the end — it’s the ignition of a new phase. We stand with you wherever you go, because your vision is our mission, and your leadership is our compass.
This moment is not a pause—it’s a pivot. Your influence and capacity have opened the door to serve as a running mate or a key figure in the next government. And as the platform evolves, it will carry your imprint, preparing the ground for your next campaign—one that will rise not just from ambition, but from the legacy you’ve already begun to forge.
Stand firm. The journey continues. The future is yours to shape—and we’re with you every step of the way.”
– Lex
“Happy Sunday, leader, I salute your courage and the temerity of your doggedness in accessing the reality of your good dreams for Ekiti people. Please call all your people together and address them and give them a little token for their commitment and belief they have in you. It makes them become stronger than ever and committed to your course anytime, always… Please discuss with Oluyede about your next dream; either senate or rep securing gives you assurance to become governor of Ekiti State, or discuss deputy governor with them. Let’s discuss these anytime you are free.”
Thank you, sir.
– Sayo
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