About 130 Pan Yoruba groups have formally adopted Ekiti State governor, Abiodun Oyebanji as their preferred candidate for a second term in office.
This significant endorsement came during a meeting organised by the Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movements (AYDM), the largest coalition of civil society, community-based and Pan Yoruba groups representing the old Western Region – including Ekiti, Kogi, Kwara, and parts of Delta and Edo States – held in Lagos State.
Described by AYDM as a “beacon of hope” not only for Ekiti State but also for the entire Yoruba Nation and Nigeria at large, they said Oyebanji’s leadership has continued to garner widespread acclaim.
Guest speaker, Adewale Adeoye, a seasoned journalist, emphasised the importance of organised collective action for political and economic progress.
He praised the formation of non-formal political blocs that seek to shape a common future, highlighting the current structural challenges faced by the Southwest, including food insecurity and moral decline.
The coalition underscored Governor Oyebanji’s exceptional track record, lauding his embodiment of the Yoruba values encapsulated by the concept of Omoluabi – integrity, humility, and responsibility. From education and road construction to public health, agriculture, and transparent governance, Oyebanji’s milestones are a striking example for other states to emulate.
The event, attended by over 1,000 participants, concluded with a communique stressing the critical regional importance of elections within Yoruba indigenous territories.
The AYDM also established a South West Election Working Group (EWOG), tasked with launching door-to-door campaigns across Ekiti once official political campaigns commence.
After conducting extensive research into Ekiti’s social, political, and economic progress over the past two years, the AYDM expressed admiration for the state despite its status as one of Nigeria’s lowest beneficiaries of federal allocations.
