Oyebanji Leads As Ekiti Ambassadors Release Governorship Candidates’ Ratings

By Samuel Sunday 

The Ekiti State Governor, His Excellency, Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has emerged as the leading contender in the Ekiti governorship race, scoring 43 percent in a rating released by Ekiti Ambassadors.

The political assessment ranks major candidates across party lines based on strengths, weaknesses, party structure, funding, experience, and electoral viability, revealing a closely contested race among the top three aspirants.

According to the group, it rests on his incumbency status, federal support, financial capacity, and the statewide structure of the APC. 

However, the assessment notes that internal party divisions, unresolved disqualification concerns, and widespread public perception of imposition may weaken his hold on the lead.

Daramola Owoola of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) followed with 38 percent, drawing strength from coalition support, a crisis-free party environment, his political background, including involvement with the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), advocacy for women’s inclusion, and support from Christ’s School alumni networks, also boosted his rating.

Despite these strengths, the group identified weak party structure, limited funding, and the absence of high-profile political figures in the Southwest as major challenges facing the YPP candidate.

According to the Ekiti Ambassadors, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Oluwadare Bejide, placed third with 33 percent, benefiting from his political experience, national-level connections, and foreign and local exposure, as well as a strong home-base advantage.

Internal party crises, factional disputes, poor financial base, and the party’s lack of elective office holders at the national level were listed as factors limiting Bejide’s chances.

Opeyemi Falegan of the Accord Party scored 18 percent, with Ekiti Ambassadors acknowledging his philanthropic activities, diaspora funding, and some level of coalition backing.

The group, however, cited political inexperience, a very weak party structure, and internal factionalism as major obstacles confronting the Accord candidate.

Ekiti Ambassadors said the ratings reflect current political realities and may change as campaigns intensify and voter sentiment shifts ahead of the election.