Former Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Biodun Aluko, has been appointed chairman of the newly formed BAO State Endorsement Committee, tasked with coordinating support for Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s second-term bid ahead of the 2026 governorship election. The 24-member committee comprises influential stakeholders from the All Progressives Congress (APC), civil society, youth groups, and the business community across Ekiti’s three senatorial districts.
The appointment, which has sparked debate within the ruling APC, is seen by supporters as a strategic move to consolidate the governor’s popularity and ensure continuity in governance. The committee has been charged with building consensus across the party and fostering grassroots mobilisation for the governor’s re-election campaign. Aluko, while accepting the role, expressed confidence in Oyebanji’s leadership and pledged to work with other members to deliver a united and purposeful mandate.
However, the move has drawn criticism from a group of party elders and youths, who view it as premature and a violation of internal democracy principles espoused by President Bola Tinubu and the APC national leadership. Despite the pushback, the committee has vowed to carry out its assignment transparently and inclusively, stressing that Governor Oyebanji’s development strides deserve continuity beyond 2026.
