Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, now a prominent member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has declared that the party will contest and win the 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State, advising incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji to begin preparing his handover note.
Atiku made this known during the unveiling of the Ekiti State chapter of the ADC over the weekend in Ado-Ekiti. Represented by Prof. Bayo Fakunle, a former Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Atiku thanked the people of Ekiti for their past support, especially during his presidential bids.
“The ADC is here to rescue the people from hardship. We call on everyone to support this movement for change,” he stated.
The event marked a major political shift in Ekiti, as key figures from the PDP, SDP, LP, and APC formally defected to the ADC, bolstering the party’s structure and electoral prospects ahead of the 2026 polls.
Former Deputy Governor Prof. Kolapo Olusola, who led the PDP bloc into the ADC, described the new movement as a rescue mission for the nation.
“The calibre of men and women in the ADC is capable of restoring Nigeria to prosperity,” Olusola declared.
In a move likely to reshape Ekiti’s political landscape, trusted aides and loyalists of ex-governors Ayodele Fayose, Kayode Fayemi, and Segun Oni also joined the ADC. Notable among them were former Deputy Governor Prof. Kolapo Eleka, former Chief of Staff Dipo Anisulowo, former SSG Modupe Alade, and former Head of Service Gbenga Faseluka.
Though the three former governors have publicly backed Oyebanji’s re-election, the defection of their loyalists is seen as a significant crack within their political camps.
Political observers suggest the ADC’s rising profile and mass defections may complicate Oyebanji’s path to a second term, potentially positioning the ADC as the main opposition force in the state.
The Ekiti governorship election is expected to be a tight and fiercely contested race, with the ADC now drawing considerable momentum heading into 2026.
