Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ido Local Government Area have unanimously endorsed the Executive Chairman of the council, Hon. Sheriff Adeojo, as their preferred candidate for the Ido/Ibarapa East Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives.

The declaration followed a strategic meeting held on April 5, 2026, at Barracks Cool Room, Jericho area of Ibadan, after stakeholders from Ibarapa East Local Government reportedly ceded the party’s ticket to Ido Local Government to produce a candidate for the forthcoming election.

Speaking after the meeting, the apex leaders expressed unwavering support for Adeojo’s candidacy, citing his administrative competence, political experience, and longstanding commitment to the party as key factors behind their decision.

According to the leaders, Adeojo’s tenure as chairman of Ido Local Government has demonstrated his capacity for effective governance and grassroots engagement, qualities they believe will translate into impactful representation at the National Assembly.

They further described him as a loyal party man who enjoys widespread acceptance among party members and constituents, noting that his strong rapport with voters would give the PDP a strategic advantage during the campaign and election period.

“Adeojo remains the most qualified, reliable, and trusted aspirant to fly the party’s flag. His charisma, political profile, and connection with the people make him the ideal choice for this position,” the leaders stated.

Party stakeholders from various wards who attended the meeting and affirmed their support include Alhaji Issa Alabanla (Ward 8), Hon. Rasak Mabaje (Ward 9), Alhaji Adelabu Alaba (Ward 4), Comrade Babalola Rasak (Ward 10), Alhaji Diekola Mukiala (Ward 9), Alhaji Ibrahim Tiamiyu (Ward 2), Alhaji Atilola Tajudeen (Ward 10), Alhaji Lawal Asimiyu (Ward 5), Mr. Tirimisiyu Lamidi (Ward 8), Mr. Lateef Fashola (Ward 7), Mr. Jimoh Obey (Ward 1), Alhaji Gbadamosi Kamorudeen (Ward 5), and Mr. Akinwande Olukunle (Ward 3).

A former Board Member of the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, Hon. Ishola Akeem Adetoyese, has extended warm congratulations to former Oyo State First Lady and Nigeria’s current Ambassador to Austria, Florence Ajimobi.

Adetoyese, in a goodwill message, described Ajimobi as a distinguished and committed leader whose contributions to the growth of the APC in Oyo State and the state’s overall development remain significant.

He commended her dedication to public service and her consistent efforts toward strengthening the party’s structure, noting that her leadership and influence continue to inspire members across the state.

The APC chieftain further acknowledged Ajimobi’s role in advancing initiatives that have positively impacted communities, emphasizing her unwavering commitment to progress and development.

Adetoyese concluded by wishing her continued success in her endeavors while urging party members to emulate her spirit of service and dedication to the collective good.

As Ekiti State gradually moves toward the 2026 governorship election, the political atmosphere is already tilting in one clear direction towards the consolidation of power by Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji. What once appeared to be a routine re-election bid is fast transforming into a calculated and well-structured political movement, driven not only by governance performance but by strategic alliances. At the heart of this growing dominance lies what many observers now describe as the “Bamidele Factor” the deliberate and decisive choice of Michael Opeyemi Bamidele as the arrowhead of the Governor’s 2026 campaign, a move already reshaping the contours of the contest and reinforcing the perception that the road to the Ekiti Government House may, once again, lead in only one direction.

Governor Oyebanji has, since assuming office, demonstrated a governance style that prioritizes stability over drama and inclusion over division. In a political environment where power is often exercised with visible assertiveness, he has chosen a quieter but more effective path building consensus, sustaining relationships, and ensuring that governance does not become a tool of exclusion. This approach has significantly reduced political tension within the state while strengthening institutional confidence among stakeholders.

What distinguishes Oyebanji further is his understanding that political success is not sustained by performance alone, but by the ability to manage alliances and reward loyalty. His decision to appoint Senator Bamidele as Campaign Chairman is not just strategic, it is symbolic. It sends a powerful message that loyalty, commitment, and political sacrifice are neither ignored nor forgotten. In a system where many leaders are quick to discard allies after achieving power, Oyebanji has chosen a different path, proving that he is not an ingrate but a leader grounded in memory and mutual respect.

Senator Bamidele’s political relevance in this equation cannot be overstated. A seasoned politician with deep grassroots roots and extensive legislative experience, he represents both structure and strategy. His role in facilitating Oyebanji’s emergence as a consensus candidate in the previous election cycle helped prevent internal divisions that could have weakened the ruling party at a critical moment. That intervention did not just produce a candidate; it produced stability. Today, his leadership of the campaign signals continuity of that same strategic discipline.

Beyond loyalty, Bamidele brings an unmatched understanding of Ekiti’s political terrain. He is not merely a figurehead but an active mobilizer whose influence cuts across local communities and political blocs. His involvement effectively neutralizes internal dissent and strengthens party cohesion, two factors that are often decisive in determining electoral outcomes. With him at the helm of the campaign, the structure supporting Oyebanji is not only intact but significantly fortified.

As the 2026 election draws nearer, the indicators increasingly suggest that the contest may lack the intensity of a typical gubernatorial race. Incumbency, when combined with visible governance and political unity, often creates a formidable barrier for any opposition. In Oyebanji’s case, these elements are firmly in place. The administration’s steady engagement with the people, coupled with a governance approach that emphasizes continuity and delivery, has reinforced public confidence.

Equally important is the state of the opposition, which remains largely fragmented and unable to present a cohesive alternative capable of challenging the current political momentum. Elections are not won by ambition alone but by organization, unity, and connection with the electorate. On all these fronts, Oyebanji appears to hold a clear advantage.

The synergy between Oyebanji and Bamidele further deepens this advantage. While the Governor embodies calm, methodical leadership and administrative focus, Bamidele represents political energy, strategic calculation, and grassroots mobilization. Together, they form a balanced partnership that addresses both governance and electoral realities. It is this combination that transforms a re-election bid into a political movement.

What is unfolding in Ekiti is more than preparation for an election; it is the consolidation of a political structure built on trust, loyalty, and shared purpose.

The “Bamidele Factor” is not just about campaign leadership, it is about reinforcing a system where alliances are respected, strategies are deliberate, and leadership is coordinated.

If current trends continue, the 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State may ultimately serve less as a contest and more as a reaffirmation. A reaffirmation of a leadership style that values unity over conflict, loyalty over expediency, and strategy over chance.

In Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji and Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, Ekiti has found a political alignment that is not only formidable but enduring. And in that alignment lies the clearest indication yet that the march to 2026 may already be decided long before the first ballot is cast.

Dr. Olusola John Ojo, PhD, is a public administrator and policy analyst.

In what many now consider a bold but deeply flawed move, Governor Seyi Makinde has chosen to proceed with the controversial beaded crown coronation in Ibadanland—despite the conspicuous absence of the very chiefs meant to be honoured, including Senator Sarafadeen Alli.

At best, the decision reflects a troubling disregard for consensus. At worst, it signals a calculated political move aimed at undermining a perceived rival.

It is impossible to ignore the history that binds Makinde and Alli. In 2019, Alli, alongside the current Olubadan, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja Arusa1, stood firmly behind Makinde in a coalition that reshaped Oyo State’s political trajectory. That alliance was not merely strategic—it was foundational.

Today, that same political family appears fractured.

The growing perception is that Makinde, wary of Alli’s rising political profile and alleged emergence as a preferred governorship figure within opposition ranks, has chosen confrontation over collaboration. If true, this represents not just political rivalry, but a betrayal of trust.

What meaning does a coronation hold when those to be crowned refuse to attend?

By going ahead with the ceremony in the absence of key beneficiaries, the administration risks reducing a revered traditional exercise to a hollow political spectacle. In a culture where honour, consent, and legitimacy are paramount, this move strikes many as both tone-deaf and provocative.

Even more telling is the absence of the Olubadan himself. In Ibadan’s deeply rooted traditional structure, such a development cannot be dismissed as coincidence. It is a silent statement—one that speaks louder than any official declaration.

This is not the first time the beaded crown issue has stirred controversy. Oba Ladoja himself once rejected it, standing firm until respected Ibadan elders intervened. That history should have served as a cautionary tale—a reminder that tradition in Ibadanland is not dictated by decree, but shaped by consensus.

Yet, the current approach suggests that those lessons have either been forgotten or ignored.

Among many indigenes, a dangerous narrative is gaining ground: that the governor is willing to sideline his own people to secure political advantage. Whether this perception is fair or not, it is politically damaging.

Ibadan has long held a principle that resonates beyond politics: loyalty to one’s own is sacred. The warning now echoing across the city is simple but profound—no one wins by fighting their own clan.

If Governor Makinde continues on this path, he risks not only alienating key stakeholders but eroding the grassroots goodwill that once defined his leadership.

Interestingly, Senator Alli has maintained a measured stance, allowing events to speak for themselves. In doing so, he has inadvertently strengthened his position—appearing composed, wronged, and increasingly sympathetic in the eyes of many.

Leadership is not merely about authority; it is about wisdom, timing, and respect for institutions that predate political office. In this instance, the governor’s actions raise serious questions about all three.

What is unfolding is more than a disagreement over titles—it is a test of political judgment and cultural sensitivity. Makinde’s insistence on pushing forward, despite clear signs of dissent, may well define his relationship with Ibadanland for years to come.

And in politics, especially in a place as historically conscious as Ibadan, such decisions are never forgotten.

A major constitutional and traditional crisis is unfolding in Oyo State as the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has reportedly taken a firm and defiant position against the state government, directing a boycott of the coronation ceremony of three prominent Ibadan High Chiefs.

In a dramatic twist, credible palace sources confirm that the monarch has also left Ibadan for Lagos, a move widely interpreted as a strong signal of his resolve amid the escalating standoff.

Sources indicate that the Olubadan is prepared for a direct confrontation with the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde, signaling his intention to stay away from the ceremony and urging the affected chiefs to do the same — a development that has significantly heightened tension within both the traditional institution and the political space.

At the centre of the crisis are three senior chiefs — High Chief Kola Babalola (Ekaarun Olubadan), High Chief Akeem Bolaji Adewoyin (Ekerin Balogun), and High Chief (Senator) Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli (Ekaarun Balogun) — who are reportedly set to boycott the coronation scheduled for Friday, April 3, 2026, in defiance of the Oyo State Government’s directive.

Insiders reveal that the boycott is partly aimed at shielding Senator Sharafadeen Alli, who is said to be at the centre of the controversy surrounding the coronation and its political undertones.

More revealing, a highly placed source disclosed that the Olubadan, himself a former governor, is fully aware of the powers vested in an Executive Governor and believes that the current political configuration in the state could shift significantly in the near future.

The development has effectively drawn a clear battle line between the Olubadan and Governor Makinde’s administration, raising concerns about a potential and unprecedented clash between traditional authority and state power.

Observers warn that the standoff could severely strain relations between both institutions, with far-reaching implications for governance, political stability, and the delicate balance of authority in Oyo State.

Analysts further caution that the growing overlap between politics and traditional leadership — particularly the perceived involvement of the Olubadan in political alignments — may heighten tensions and trigger wider instability if not carefully managed.

As of press time, neither the Oyo State Government nor the Olubadan Palace has issued an official statement confirming or denying the development, further fueling speculation and anxiety across the state.