Ekiti Poll: OSV Commends Oyebanji’s Peace Effort, Urges Co-Contestants to Join Hands for Ekiti’s Growth

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The Oyebanji Street Vanguard (OSV), a foremost grassroots mobilisation movement in Ekiti State, has applauded Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji for extending an olive branch to his co-contestants in the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the gesture as a demonstration of true leadership and political maturity.

In a statement signed by its Convener, Mr. HC Ade, the group said the governor’s peace initiative showed his deep commitment to party unity, inclusion, and the collective progress of Ekiti State ahead of the 2026 governorship election.

Governor Oyebanji had earlier called on his co-contestants and party supporters to embrace peace and work together, stressing that the APC contest was a family affair and not a battle for supremacy. “There is no victor, no vanquish; we are all winners,” he declared.

The statement recalled that four aspirants — Governor Abiodun Oyebanji, Engineer Kayode Ojo, Mrs. Abimbola Olawumi, and Mrs. Atinuke Oluremi Omolayo had earlier shown interest in the APC governorship ticket. Following the screening conducted by the APC National Working Committee, only Governor Oyebanji and Mrs. Omolayo were cleared for the primaries scheduled for October 27, while the other two aspirants were disqualified.

Mrs. Omolayo, in a display of party loyalty, later withdrew from the race, paving the way for Governor Oyebanji to emerge as the consensus candidate of the party.

Commending this development, the OSV lauded the governor for extending an olive branch to his co-contestants and their supporters, describing his reconciliatory tone as a mark of statesmanship and inclusive leadership.

The group quoted the governor as saying, “Nobody has lost this contest; in truth, we have all won. Let us celebrate with grace and not insult anyone.”

OSV further appealed to all party stakeholders, particularly Engineer Kayode Ojo, to embrace reconciliation and work in unity for the continued progress of the APC and the development of Ekiti State.

The group also referenced the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, who appointed Engr. Ojo as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), urging him to align with the vision of the President and the Governor for sustained peace and prosperity in the state.

It called on political leaders across Ekiti to build on the governor’s peace initiative by reabsorbing and integrating all party members into the fold, stressing that the act of unity would further strengthen the APC ahead of the 2026/2027 election cycle and consolidate the legacy of good governance already being championed by Governor Oyebanji.