Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, made headlines on Monday after openly endorsing President Bola Tinubu and Governor Biodun Oyebanji for re-election in 2027, despite being a longtime opposition figure.
Speaking at an All Progressives Congress (APC) rally held in Ado-Ekiti, Fayose’s presence was unexpected, but his message was even more so. Standing before a crowd of party supporters and key political stakeholders, he declared his full support for the continuation of both the Tinubu presidency and Oyebanji’s administration, citing performance—not politics—as his reason.
“I’m not a member of the APC and have no intention of joining,” he said candidly. “But I believe in good governance when I see it. Governor Oyebanji has shown humility, leadership, and results. And President Tinubu has done enough to deserve another term.”
Fayose’s comments drew loud cheers from attendees, as he went on to commend the political unity on display at the rally, which saw former governors, serving lawmakers, and top political leaders from Ekiti State gathered under one banner. He described the gathering as a rare show of maturity and cohesion, suggesting that other states across Nigeria could learn from the example.
In a moment of reflection, the former governor also pointed to his own political achievements, reminding the crowd that he had once won elections across all 16 local governments and 177 wards in Ekiti. With a light-hearted challenge, he encouraged Governor Oyebanji to match that electoral success in 2027.
“Let’s see who can beat that record,” Fayose said with a smile. “But when the campaign season comes, we’ll all be back on the field.”
The rally also provided an opportunity for Fayose to acknowledge and even joke about the growing number of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC in the state. While he congratulated the decampees, he made it clear that he had no intention of crossing party lines himself.
“Congratulations to those moving over—it’s a good move if it helps the governor return,” he said, tongue-in-cheek. “But don’t count me in. I’m staying put.”
Fayose also praised the contributions of other notable leaders like Segun Oni for promoting unity in the state’s political space, noting that such collaboration is what democracy needs to thrive.
His endorsement adds a new layer of intrigue to Ekiti State’s political landscape as the 2027 general elections begin to take shape. With his influence and grassroots popularity, Fayose’s words could carry weight, even from across the aisle.