The Ekiti Development Agenda (EDA) has strongly criticized the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, describing his leadership as a “waste of opportunity” and calling on the people of Ekiti State to embrace change in the forthcoming 2026 governorship election.
In a statement issued on Friday in Abuja after its general meeting and communique, and signed by its National Coordinator, Dr. Ademiluyi Bamisaye, PhD, the group said its position followed extensive consultations with Ekiti indigenes both at home and in the diaspora.
According to the group, despite increased allocations to states following the removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ekiti State has “little or no visible development” to justify the resources received over the past three years.
“The expectation of Ekiti people was that the additional revenues accruing to the state would translate into meaningful development across critical sectors such as infrastructure, education, healthcare, and job creation,” the statement read. “However, what is evident today falls far short of these expectations.”
EDA further alleged that the current administration has prioritized political patronage over development, claiming that state resources are being deployed in ways that do not reflect the collective interest of the people.
The group also expressed concern over what it described as efforts to weaken opposition voices within the state, warning that such tendencies could undermine democratic principles and inclusive governance.
Calling on Ekiti voters to “seize the moment,” the group urged the electorate to use the 2026 election as an opportunity to “liberate the state from what it termed a cycle of underperformance and resource mismanagement.”
In the same statement, the Ekiti Development Agenda threw its weight behind the candidacy of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship hopeful, Oluwole Oluyede, describing him as a credible alternative capable of repositioning the state.
The group noted that the 2026 election presents a historic opportunity to address longstanding issues of equity, particularly the agitation for power rotation to Ekiti South Senatorial District, which has not produced a democratically elected governor since 1999.
“For many Ekiti citizens, the question of fairness and inclusion has become central to the political discourse,” the statement noted. “The emergence of Oluwole Oluyede from the South aligns with this broader aspiration for balance and justice.”
EDA highlighted what it described as growing public dissatisfaction with the current administration, citing concerns over limited economic opportunities, poor infrastructure in some communities, and a perceived disconnect between government spending and the realities of ordinary citizens.
It added that Oluyede’s policy direction, focused on transparency, accountability, agricultural development, youth empowerment, and revitalization of the education sector, offers a “practical and people-oriented roadmap” for the state’s future.
“Ekiti’s economic potential, particularly in agriculture and small-scale enterprise, requires leadership that understands how to unlock value and create sustainable growth,” the group stated. “Oluyede’s vision reflects this understanding and speaks directly to the needs of the people.”
The group also emphasized the importance of restoring public trust in governance, noting that leadership must be anchored not only on policies but also on integrity, accessibility, and genuine commitment to service.
“As Ekiti approaches a defining political moment, the choice before the people is clear, between continuity of the current trajectory and a new path grounded in fairness, accountability, and measurable development,” the statement concluded.
