A massive mobilisation event was held in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, as former PDP governorship candidate, Dr Oluwole Oluyede, led thousands of supporters in a show of unity for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's re-election bid. The event, organised by the Oluyede Progressive Alliance for Renewed Hope Agenda (OPARHA), saw supporters march through the streets before gathering at Fajuyi Park. Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, and other political leaders addressed the crowd.
Oluyede reaffirmed his commitment to mobilising support for Tinubu, declaring that OPARHA would work towards delivering 90 per cent of Ekiti votes to the President. He stated that the mobilisation would extend beyond the mega walk, with members of OPARHA expected to engage in door-to-door mobilisation across the state's 16 local government areas and 177 wards. This effort aims to build a political bridge among different groups and strengthen the relationship between Ekiti and the Federal Government.
Governor Oyebanji commended Oluyede for putting aside partisan differences and mobilising his supporters for Tinubu. Oyebanji described the development as a demonstration that political differences should not prevent Ekiti people from working together in the interest of the state. He praised the peaceful conduct of the 2026 governorship election, saying it reflected the vision of the founding fathers of Ekiti State.
Oyebanji expressed appreciation to Oluyede for his sacrifice and commitment to the broader interest of Ekiti. He urged APC and PDP supporters who back Tinubu to cooperate at the grassroots and avoid unnecessary rivalry. The governor described Tinubu's re-election as "existential" for Ekiti State, citing federal road projects and other interventions that have benefited the state.
The Ekiti State Government has confirmed that the Tinubu administration approved the inclusion of several road projects in the 2026 Federal Government budget. These projects include the Itawure–Aramoko–Ado-Ekiti and Aramoko–Ijero–Ido–Ifaki roads. Oyebanji had previously credited the Federal Government with supporting major road projects and other interventions in the state.
The collaboration between Oluyede and Oyebanji demonstrates that politicians can work together despite belonging to different political parties. Oluyede has stated that his decision to work for Tinubu's re-election does not amount to abandoning his political identity, but reflects his desire to put the broader interests of Nigeria and Ekiti above partisan differences.
As the OPARHA mobilisation moves beyond the Ado-Ekiti mega walk, Oluyede said the group would deepen its grassroots engagement across the state. The immediate political significance of the mobilisation lies in the public appearance of leaders from different political backgrounds campaigning around a common presidential objective, with Oluyede placing a 90 per cent vote target before his supporters.
Key points
- Oluyede and Oyebanji unite across party lines to mobilize support for President Tinubu's 2027 re-election bid in Ekiti State.
- OPARHA aims to deliver 90 per cent of Ekiti votes to Tinubu through sustained grassroots mobilisation.
- The collaboration between Oluyede and Oyebanji demonstrates that politicians can work together despite belonging to different political parties.
