On September 27, 2026, former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Dr. Oluwole Oluyede, led a massive walk in Ado-Ekiti, mobilizing thousands of supporters for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's 2027 re-election bid. The event, organized by Oluyede Progressive Alliance for Renewed Hope Agenda (OPARHA), drew supporters from different political backgrounds, marching from Ajilosun to Fajuyi Park. Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, and other leaders addressed the crowd.
The mega walk, themed "20,000 Steps. One Hope. One Nigeria," aims to galvanize support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Oluyede declared that OPARHA would work to deliver 90 percent of Ekiti's votes to Tinubu. He emphasized that the group would engage in door-to-door mobilization across Ekiti's 16 local government areas and 177 wards to canvass support for the President. This effort seeks to build a political bridge among different groups and strengthen ties between Ekiti and the Federal Government.
Governor Oyebanji commended Oluyede for setting aside partisan differences to mobilize support for Tinubu. Oyebanji described the event as evidence that political differences should not hinder Ekiti people from working together for the state's interest. He praised the peaceful conduct of the 2026 governorship election, reflecting the vision of Ekiti's founding fathers. Oyebanji urged APC and PDP supporters backing Tinubu to cooperate at the grassroots level, avoiding unnecessary rivalry.
Oyebanji emphasized that Tinubu's re-election is "existential" for Ekiti, citing federal interventions and infrastructure projects benefiting the state. He credited Tinubu's administration with approving road projects, including the Ado-Ekiti–Ifaki axis. The Ekiti State Government confirmed that the Itawure–Aramoko–Ado-Ekiti and Aramoko–Ijero–Ido–Ifaki roads were included in the 2026 Federal Government budget. These projects demonstrate the positive impact of Tinubu's administration on Ekiti.
The cooperation between Oluyede and Oyebanji is not a new development. Following the 2026 governorship election, they have publicly expressed their political cooperation. Oluyede stated that his decision to support Tinubu does not abandon his political identity but prioritizes Nigeria and Ekiti's broader interests. He aims to unite members of different political tendencies around the 2027 presidential election and Ekiti's development.
As OPARHA's mobilization moves beyond the Ado-Ekiti mega walk, Oluyede announced plans to deepen grassroots engagement across Ekiti. The group will focus on sustained mobilization to achieve their 90 percent vote target for Tinubu. This effort brings together political actors from different backgrounds, united in their support for Tinubu's re-election bid.
The rallied support for Tinubu in Ekiti is significant, with Oyebanji previously calling for increased support for the President's re-election. On September 23, the governor emphasized the importance of intensified mobilization to boost Tinubu's votes in the state. With OPARHA's continued efforts, Ekiti's support for Tinubu is expected to grow, solidifying the state's backing for the President's re-election bid.
Key points
- Dr. Oluwole Oluyede leads OPARHA's mobilization efforts to secure 90 percent of Ekiti's votes for President Tinubu in 2027.
- Governor Biodun Oyebanji commends Oluyede for uniting supporters across party lines, emphasizing the importance of cooperation for Ekiti's development.
- The mobilization effort aims to build a political bridge among different groups and strengthen ties between Ekiti and the Federal Government.
