This is the prediction by a foremost psephologist! Some analyses call it a “crowded race of no real challengers”. The strides and efforts of Gov Oyebanji’s inclusive governance will ultimately bare on other candidates in the Governorship Poll to join forces to move Ekiti to a height of ‘envy’ amongst the community of not only Southwest States, but amongst Subnational units in Nigeria.
The rationale behind this prediction is quite obvious for any discerning mind. In every contest, the number one position will fall on just one person, and what should matter to every other candidate is how well their race has been run. In this instance, the ‘race’ is the betterment of the Ekitikete lot and not any Individuals’ aspirations to lord things over Ekitikete through the exalted position of the Governorship seat.
In the public domain and popular opinion is the undeniable fact that Oyebanji has put long-term Ekitikete issues as being foremost in all his policy and activities, hence the notion of an interruption in his governance pattern is not up for debate, Continuity is at long last in Ekiti Polity.
Whatever fragments left from the Erstwhile political opposition in Ekiti have come to realize that adage: “A wise general retreats and lives to fight another day”, a proverb highlighting that a strategic withdrawal, while seemingly cowardly, is often superior to a “glorious” defeat, allowing for survival, regrouping, and eventual victory. As famously associated with the idiom “He who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day,” popularized in the 17th century.
The matter of Gov Oyebanji’s Re-election from onset had been a total yes and a ‘moving train’ that wasn’t going to be stopped by any primordial sentiments from any quarters particularly as the majority of grassroot and diaspora Ekitikete had coagulated on Oyebanji’s Re-election.
The “Shock Switch! Other Political Party’s #EkitiDecides2026 Candidates Unanimously Step Down For APC rival after ‘Consultation’”— is rightly tied to optimistic views on Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s (APC) strong position ahead of the Ekiti governorship election (scheduled for around mid-2026, based on reports).From recent developments in the Ekiti 2026 race:
Governor Biodun Oyebanji (APC) has solidified his position as the ruling party’s candidate through a consensus process (after some internal aspirants like Oluremi Omolayo stepped down or were cleared/disqualified).
However, opposition parties did nominate candidates earlier: e.g., PDP (initially Dr. Wole Oluyede), ADC (Oluwadare Bejide), SDP (David Bankole), and others like Accord, YPP, etc.
Despite whatever controversy INEC’s final list of qualified candidates (published around January 2026) generated by excluding opposition names, notably the PDP’s Oluyede and SDP’s Bankole. The baseless allegations from sponsored groups have been rejected outrightly by the electrorate.
Ekitikete’s focus as described by observers is that the race is increasingly one-sided, with Oyebanji potentially facing fragmented opposition. Some analyses call it a “crowded race of no real challengers” or even suggest it could become a near-walkover (or unopposed in practice), with speculation that minor candidates might be placeholders or could withdraw strategically.
The projection by the foremost psephologist’s prediction aligns with this momentum—Oyebanji’s strides in inclusive governance could pressure or attract alignments, making a dominant victory more likely. The election remains competitive on paper with multiple parties cleared.
Politics in Ekiti often involves last-minute realignments, so things as expected would evolve further before the poll.
Abiodun Borisade writes from Iloro Ekiti.
