Raheem Akingbolu reflects on the rising popularity of Govermor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State and what it holds for the unfolding political development ahead of 2026 gubernatorial poll.
The emergence of Biodun Oyebanji as an elected governor of Ekiti State was not only epochal but remains a game changer. For a long time, the conversation had always been that those who have emerged as elected governors of the state since 1999 have been those referred to as ‘Ekiti Abroad’.
While this description is not derogatory on strict terms, it stems from the fact that Ekiti being an agrarian state, many indigenes would have preferred someone who grew up in the state to emerge as her elected leader. And that ‘prayer’ was answered when Oyebanji was sworn- in on October 16th, 2022.
