Politics
₦25m Propaganda Row Rocks Ekiti As Oluyede, Oyebanji Trade Words
By Samuel Sunday
A fresh political controversy has erupted ahead of the Ekiti governorship election as the Wole Oluyede Campaign Organisation accused Governor Biodun Oyebanji of spending ₦25 million on what it described as a misleading newspaper publication, a claim the state government has firmly denied.
The allegation, which centers on the recently released ballot by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), claims the state government sponsored a media platform to distort official information and mislead voters about candidates cleared for the June 20 election.
In a statement issued in Ado Ekiti, the campaign of Wole Oluyede alleged that only part of the INEC
ballot was published, specifically the page featuring the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, while another page containing Oluyede and other candidates was deliberately omitted.
The campaign argued that the selective publication created a false impression that Oluyede had not been cleared to contest, describing the move as a calculated attempt to deceive the electorate and manipulate public perception ahead of the polls.
According to the group, the alleged plan failed after the complete INEC document circulated widely, prompting backlash from members of the public who condemned what they viewed as misinformation and political desperation.
The campaign further criticized what it termed the “reckless diversion of public funds,” accusing the current administration of prioritizing political survival over governance and the welfare of Ekiti residents.
Reaffirming its campaign message, the organisation insisted that Oluyede represents a “new era” of leadership, promising job creation, improved security, and economic growth if elected, while urging voters to reject what it called propaganda tactics.
However, the Ekiti State Government has dismissed the allegations as unfounded, describing them as misleading and lacking any credible evidence.
In its official response, the government stated that the claim failed to identify any specific media outlet or provide proof of financial transactions, questioning the logic behind spending public funds on information that is already freely available through official channels, including INEC platforms.
The administration also highlighted its record in governance, citing achievements in infrastructure development, healthcare, education, youth empowerment, and security, alongside high ratings in fiscal transparency and public finance management from independent assessments.
While urging political actors to focus on issue-based campaigns rather than “sensational claims,” the government maintained that Ekiti voters are informed enough to distinguish between propaganda and performance, insisting that it will continue to uphold transparency and accountability as the election approaches.