Oyebanji, Oluyede Forge Cross-Party Alliance Ahead of 2027

A fresh political alliance has emerged in Ekiti State as Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the June 2026 election, Dr Wole Oluyede, joined forces to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The development followed a mobilisation rally organised by the Oluyede Progressive Alliance for Renewed Hope Agenda (OPARHA) in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday.

Oluyede, who contested the governorship election against Oyebanji, led supporters on a mega walk tagged “20,000 Steps. One Hope. One Nigeria,” before the group converged at Fajuyi Park, where the governor and other political figures addressed the gathering.

Speaking at the event, Oluyede said his supporters would commence grassroots mobilisation across Ekiti’s 16 local government areas and 177 wards to canvass support for Tinubu.

He announced a target of securing 90 per cent of the votes in the state for the President in the 2027 election.

According to Oluyede, the mobilisation was aimed at bringing together people from different political backgrounds while promoting what he described as the broader interests of Ekiti and Nigeria.

Oyebanji, in his remarks, commended Oluyede for setting aside political differences and working with the APC-led administration to mobilise support for Tinubu.

The governor said the cooperation between members of the APC and PDP demonstrated that political differences could be put aside when issues concerning the development of the state were involved.

The latest development comes weeks after Oluyede withdrew his petition challenging Oyebanji’s victory in the June 20, 2026 governorship election. Oluyede said at the time that his decision was influenced by appeals from President Tinubu and other individuals, as well as his desire to contribute to the development of Ekiti.

Oluyede had also recently praised Oyebanji’s administration, particularly its efforts in security, infrastructure and human capital development, while expressing his readiness to work with the governor.