OSV Defends Oyebanji’s Consensus Affirmation, Blasts Fake Civil Society Coalition

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By Ojo Ayodeji

The Oyebanji Street Vanguard (OSV), a leading grassroots movement promoting good governance in Ekiti State, has strongly condemned what it described as “false and mischievous claims” by a faceless organisation, the Coalition of Civil Society Groups (COCSG), over the consensus affirmation of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the June 20, 2026 election.

In a statement signed by its Convener, H.C. Ade on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti, OSV described the group’s criticism as “a product of ignorance and deliberate misinformation” by individuals who neither understand Ekiti’s political landscape nor the provisions of Section 84 of the Electoral Act 2022.

According to OSV, the process that produced Governor Oyebanji was transparent, peaceful, and fully compliant with the law and party guidelines.

Consensus Process Followed Due Process

The statement outlined that the consensus affirmation of Governor Oyebanji was guided by due process and key factors, including:

Strict adherence to relevant electoral laws and APC guidelines.
Disqualification of aspirants who failed to meet criteria set by the National Working Committee (NWC).
Voluntary withdrawal and endorsement of Governor Oyebanji by the only remaining aspirant, Mrs. Atinuke Olayemi Omolayo.
Governor Oyebanji’s outstanding performance and visible achievements in his three years in office.
The overwhelming support of Ekiti people at both elite and grassroots levels.

Widespread Support Across Political Structures

OSV questioned the credibility of COCSG, asking where the group was when the governor received massive endorsements from across and beyond the state.

The statement listed those backing Oyebanji’s consensus return, including:

The Presidency and the entire APC structure from national to ward levels.
The Ekiti Caucus in the National Assembly, led by Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele.
The Ekiti State House of Assembly, chaired by Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye.
All 38 Local Government and LCDA Chairmen, and the Conference of Former Lawmakers led by Senator Duro Faseyi Adetunmbi.
Former governors and deputy governors across party lines, including Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Chief Paul Alabi, and Prof. Modupe Adelabu.
Women and youth groups, opinion leaders, civil society organisations, and Ekiti indigenes at home and abroad.

“Ignore Faceless Groups and Focus on Progress”

The OSV described the COCSG as “commercial civil society actors” bent on misleading citizens and undermining the progress of both President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji.

“The people of Ekiti know what they want, and they have spoken clearly through their united support for Governor Oyebanji. We urge all Nigerians to disregard the rantings of these faceless individuals and continue to support strong democratic institutions,” the group stated.

Finally, OSV advised COCSG to focus on their states instead of “meddling in Ekiti affairs they neither understand nor experience.”