1. By Title and Office
Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO) is the sitting Governor of Ekiti State, Nigeria. He was elected in 2022 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He is now seeking a well-deserved, constitutionally-backed re-election through the June 20, 2026 governorship election.
2. By Origin and Statehood Connection
BAO is an indigene of Ekiti and, as a matter of fact, a founding actor in the creation of the state. He served first as Assistant Secretary and later as substantive Secretary of the Committee for the Creation of Ekiti State in 1996. As BAO himself puts it: he helped birth the state, and now governs it.
3. By Political Journey
He was at one time Chief of Staff to the Governor; at another time Secretary to the State Government (SSG) of Ekiti State; former Commissioner for Integration and Inter-Governmental Affairs; former Chairman, Governing Board, Citations & Assets Management Agency; and a long-time APC loyalist and strategist in Ekiti politics.
4. By First-Term Record (2022–2026)
BAO is the “Salary-Paying Governor” who ended the arrears culture. Workers and pensioners receive entitlements as and when due, with quarterly clearance of inherited gratuity.
BAO is the “Infrastructure Governor” – roads, rural roads, and power restoration projects across all 16 LGAs and 22 LCDAs, including the Ado-Ekiti Ring Road.
BAO is the “Transparency Governor” – Ekiti scored 39/39 in Q4 2025, 100/100 as “Progressive Performer” in Q4 2024, and topped the 2026 Subnational Audit Efficacy Index.
BAO is the “Security Governor” – under him, Ekiti ranked the most secured state in Nigeria.
BAO is the “Human Capital Governor” – renovated schools, equipped hospitals, expanded health insurance, launched the Ekiti Knowledge Zone, revived farm settlements, and trained 5,000+ youths with SMEDAN.
BAO is the “Gender Balance Governor” – Deputy Governor, SSG, Head of Service, and key MDAs are led by women.
5. By People and Court Affirmation
BAO is the bona fide candidate of the APC for the June 20, 2026 election, as affirmed by the Federal High Court, Abuja, which struck out suits challenging his candidacy.
6. By Leadership Style
BAO is called the “Omoluabi Governor” – humble, accessible, God-fearing. Known for inclusive governance and people-centric policies. He funds “Ojuse BAO” from his monthly salary for cash grants, medical aid, and education support to individuals. BAO is endorsed by traditional rulers, religious leaders, and all past governors of Ekiti including Niyi Adebayo, Segun Oni, Ayo Fayose, and Kayode Fayemi.
7. By Campaign Identity
BAO is “the candidate of performance, not of propaganda.” His 2026 campaign is issue-based with a target to win all 177 Wards and garner a minimum of 500,000 votes. The slogan: “BAO has worked. BAO will do more.”
8. By Grassroots Name
To market women, BAO is “Governor wey love us and see us as im mama.”
To farmers, BAO is “Governor wey open rural roads and farm settlements.”
To youths, BAO is “Governor wey give us 1,000 slots for commercial agric and make us IT savvy.”
To retirees, BAO is “Governor wey dey pay gratuity.”
To kegites, BAO is “Comradic Governor wey gavel and street don confam.”
9. By Party Position
BAO is the leader of the APC in Ekiti State and the unifying figure behind a “formidable, rancour-free campaign” described as intra local government, intra ward, intra unit.
10. By Vision
BAO is the “Ekiti of My Dream” Governor – executing a 30-year Agricultural Plan, EKZ tech hub, IPP for industries, and a 2030 shared prosperity roadmap. Term one was stabilization; term two is completion.
Bottom line: Biodun Oyebanji, BAO, is the incumbent Governor of Ekiti State, APC’s 2026 flagbearer, a founder of Ekiti State, and a first-term governor whose record on salaries, security, transparency, and projects forms the core of his re-election bid.
In politics, arrogance builds walls. Humility builds bridges. On June 20, Ekiti will choose between the arrogance of others and the humility of BAO.
Ekiti has seen both. We had leaders who owed salaries and called it normal. We now have BAO who pays and still says ‘Thank You’.
Arrogant leaders blame the people. Humble leaders blame themselves and fix the problem.
A governor can choose to rule from a palace or serve from the street. BAO chose the street.
BAO is taking over from BAO.
Know this, know peace.
-SD.
