* Wole Oluyede
By Stephen Adeyinka, Ado Ekiti
Wednesday April 22, 2026
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A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and former Chairman of Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Elder Martin Ibikunle, has declared that the battle for the Ekiti 2026 governorship election is fully underway, with the opposition rallying behind the PDP candidate, Wole Oluyede, as a symbol of change.
In a strongly worded statement, Ibikunle accused the administration of Biodun Oyebanji of running what he described as a “grand deception,” alleging that governance in the state is driven by propaganda, political patronage, and neglect of ordinary citizens.
According to Idowu Adelusi, the Press Secretary to the Wole Oluyede Campaign Organisation, Ibikunle dismissed the Oyebanji government’s “Shared Prosperity” mantra as a façade, alleging that it conceals worsening poverty, insecurity, and economic hardship among residents.
“This is not governance — this is organised deception,” the opposition figure said.
Ibikunle further criticised the state of welfare for retirees, alleging that thousands of pensioners have remained unpaid for years despite increased federal allocations to the state.
“A government that feeds political elites while its elderly suffer has lost its moral justification to lead,” he stated.
The opposition also took aim at infrastructure projects under the current administration, describing some as misplaced priorities. The Ado-Ekiti flyover project, in particular, was labelled a “wasteful venture,” while the government was accused of claiming credit for projects funded through external interventions.
According to Ibikunle, Ekiti risks continued economic stagnation if it remains heavily dependent on federal allocations without developing sustainable internal revenue sources.
Against this backdrop, he presented Oluyede as a candidate capable of reversing the trend, describing his emergence as more than a political contest but a “rescue mission” for the state.
He highlighted key promises of the PDP candidate, including clearing outstanding pensions and gratuities within six months, reforming the healthcare system, and driving industrialisation to boost economic growth.
“This is not just a promise — it is a moral obligation,” he said.
Ibikunle concluded by framing the June 20, 2026 election as a critical choice for voters, urging them to decide between continuity and change.
“The people must choose between hardship and hope, deception and accountability,” he added.
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