From Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
The newly elected Local Government and Ward Chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State have criticised the Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, for his style of governance.
They also accused the Governor of placing priority on securing the All Progressives Congress (APC), his party’s endorsement for his re-election bid, instead of focusing on delivering good governance to the people of the state.
They made the remarks at their first joint meeting held at the party’s secretariat on Wednesday, in Ado-Ekiti, the capital of the state, where they discussed the progress of the party, how to mobilise for the 2026 governorship election in the state, among other issues.
At the meeting, they also issued a communique, which was signed by all the newly elected LG and Ward Chairmen of the party in the state.
Speaking through the Chairman of all Local Government PDP Chairmen in Ekiti State and Chairman of Efon Local Government, Hon. Oluyemi Ajanaku, the new LG/ Ward Chairmen said, “We express our deep concern regarding the APC government’s ongoing failure in the state.
“It is disheartening that Governor Biodun Oyebanji, who is seeking re-election, is focused more on securing his party’s endorsement through questionable means rather than addressing the pressing governance issues.
“His actions indicate a complete disregard for the responsibilities of his office, as he is squandering the state resources for his personal political ambitions.”
In the communique, the Chairmen expressed their resolve to work for the victory of the party in the 2026 governorship election in the state, urging party leaders and other stakeholders to sustain the unity in the party and also ensure they address all issues in order not to leave anyone behind in the 2026 race.
“With the successful outcomes of the recent congresses and the growing sense of unity among our leaders, we are prepared to mobilise significantly and work diligently to ensure the victory of our party’s candidate in the upcoming 2026 governorship elections.
“Ekiti people want the PDP in power. This is because when we were in government, the people of the state prospered. Things were very cheap, and people had happy and healthy lives.
“However, we respectfully request a comprehensive and inclusive approach to reconciliation that addresses all concerns, no matter how minor they may appear. It is essential that we have everyone on board as we prepare for our journey to take over Oke Ayoba in 2026.”
The communique reads further, “We extend our congratulations to our national chairman, members of the National Working Committee (NWC), and all our leaders for a successful gathering at the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting yesterday. This accomplishment marks the beginning of promising developments for our party.
“We commend our Caretaker Committee Chairman, Chief Dare Adeleke, for his unwavering commitment, resilience, and courage in supporting and standing with the vast majority of party members amid harassment and attempts to destabilise our party.
“His efforts towards reconciliation within the party are highly appreciated. While the adage ‘the reward for a job well done is more work’ often rings true, it is also a testament to the trust and confidence placed in your abilities.
“We would like to encourage you to demonstrate the same level of commitment and dedication to the upcoming State Congress as you did during the last two congresses
“We recognise and applaud the contributions made by our leaders and stakeholders in Ekiti PDP during the ward and local government congresses.
“We affirm our commitment to adhere strictly to any consensus arrangements established by the leaders for the upcoming State Congress.
“We urge the National Working Committee (NWC) to promptly set a date for the conduct of the outstanding Ikere Local Government Congress and the State Congress to ensure proper organisation and unity within the party
“We are aware of certain individuals who have initiated frivolous legal actions against our party with the intent to incite division and confusion. We declare that they are on the losing side of history, and their efforts will ultimately fail.
“This communique reflects our collective commitment to advancing the interests of the PDP in Ekiti State and our determination to foster unity and resilience within our party.”