According to report by The Nation News on Friday, June 19, 2026, Chief Joseph Anifowose, the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) candidate for governor of Ekiti in the 2026 election, is very confident that Governor Biodun Oyebanji will be re-elected on Saturday.
In his Friday speech in Ado-Ekiti, Anifowose downplayed the significance of the election, claiming that the incumbent governor will receive a resounding endorsement from voters due to his stellar record over the past three years.
Instead of a closely contested election, he called the exercise a “coronation” for Oyebanji.
In May 2026, Anifowose officially announced his support for the governor’s re-election campaign and urged his fans to vote massively for him in the June 20 election. He had before withdrew his intention.
He reiterated his previous decision and stated that he had no qualms with standing aside, emphasising that he had given up his ambitions for the sake of the state’s continuity and competent leadership.
He asserted that Oyebanji’s purposeful leadership, modesty, and competence had greatly improved Ekiti State’s fortunes.
The governor deserves another mandate to consolidate existing development efforts, he said, citing accomplishments in infrastructure, healthcare, and other sectors.
The APM candidate stated that the state would be better off if the governor could continue the rapid economic expansion he started in his first term and that it would be counterproductive to halt the programs he has put in place.
Additionally, he brought up the fact that the APM has profited from the governor’s inclusive leadership style, which is why the party is supporting his re-election bid.
Anifowose, who was looking ahead to the election, said that the people of Ekiti would rally around the governor Oyebanji and that he would easily win.
According to him, the election was already decided before the polls opened, and all that would happen on Saturday is the official support of Oyebanji for a second term.
