The governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement in Ekiti State, Joseph Anifowose, has withdrawn from the 2026 governorship race and endorsed Governor Biodun Oyebanji ahead of next month’s election.
Anifowose announced his decision on Tuesday during the All Progressives Congress campaign rally held in Igede Ekiti, the headquarters of Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area.
He attributed his withdrawal to what he described as the developmental strides and leadership style of the Oyebanji administration, saying the governor deserved another term in office.
According to him, Oyebanji had succeeded in uniting political stakeholders across party lines and driving projects aimed at improving the state’s economy and infrastructure.
“If you look at Governor Oyebanji in the last three and a half years, he has been able to mobilise former governors for the development of the state. He has shown competence and commitment towards making Ekiti greater,” Anifowose said.
The former APM candidate added that the party leadership in the state had directed its members across all LGAs to support the governor’s re-election bid.
Speaking at campaign rallies in Ilawe Ekiti and Igede Ekiti, Oyebanji expressed confidence in the APC’s chances in the forthcoming governorship poll, stressing that his administration had delivered impactful projects across the state. The governor further listed ongoing projects including the Ikere-Ilawe Road, Ikere-Igbara Odo Road, Igbara Odo-Ikogosi Road and the reconstruction of the Itawure-Aramoko-Igede-Ado highway.
Similarly, the APC Chairman in the state, Sola Elesin, described Oyebanji as a performing governor who deserved a second term.
