African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Oluwadare Bejide, has expressed confidence that his party will defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in next year’s off-season election.
Bejide, who spoke on Wednesday at the ADC national secretariat after receiving his certificate of return, said the poor performance of Governor Biodun Oyebamiji had pushed Ekiti residents to seek an alternative.
The Ekiti governorship election is scheduled for June 20, 2026.
According to him, the administration has failed to provide basic infrastructure, especially road networks linking Ekiti to neighbouring states.
“If you are coming from Kwara or Ondo into Ekiti, the moment you cross the border, you are confronted with terrible roads. People are tired and want a government that will salvage the state,” he said.
Bejide declared that the ADC would run a vigorous, issue-based campaign and was contesting “to win and not merely to participate.”
He lamented the decline in the state’s reputation over the years, blaming what he described as the takeover of governance by “bad boys.”
“There was a time when saying you were from Ekiti commanded respect. Today the story is different. We will change that narrative,” he added.
The ADC candidate promised to prioritise agriculture, support public servants, and restore the dignity of the Ekiti people.
He said Ekiti has the capacity to become a major food supplier to Lagos and Abuja, stressing that the party would unlock the state’s agricultural potential.
When asked what gave him confidence to challenge an incumbent, Bejide said Ekiti voters were drawn to the ADC’s values of transparency, democracy, and good governance.
He argued that while other parties were experiencing internal crises and legal battles, the ADC had conducted a peaceful primary that produced him as candidate.
“Our party is united and firmly grounded. Other parties are in court. This is the best platform to run and win,” he said.
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