Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has categorically dismissed circulating reports that he and other prominent leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state have defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The Governor described the claims as completely false, misleading, and a product of deliberate misinformation aimed at sowing discord.

In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, the Governor condemned the report, which alleged that he and certain public office holders in Ekiti were being led to join the ADC under the influence of former Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

He noted that such fabrications are the handiwork of political mischief-makers bent on creating unnecessary confusion within the state’s political landscape.

“Ordinarily, we would have ignored the poorly written and baseless story, clearly designed to mislead the public,” the statement read.

“However, silence in the face of such an obvious falsehood would amount to betrayal of trust for the well-meaning citizens of Ekiti State, some of whom might be misled by this reckless propaganda.”

To set the record straight, Oyebode affirmed that Governor Oyebanji and the other individuals mentioned in the report remain fully committed to the APC and have no affiliation whatsoever with the ADC, nor do they intend to switch political allegiance.

He emphasized that Dr. Kayode Fayemi, a key figure referenced in the report, had only recently attended the APC Caucus meeting held in Iyin-Ekiti.

During that meeting, the caucus openly endorsed both President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji for a second term in office—a decision that received extensive coverage across various media platforms, including print, broadcast, and digital outlets.

The statement also highlighted Governor Oyebanji’s consistent commitment to the progressive political movement since the return of democracy in 1999.

“Governor Oyebanji remains one of the few political figures in Ekiti who have never defected from the progressive bloc. His loyalty to the APC and its ideals has never wavered,” the statement added.

Furthermore, the Governor’s camp raised concerns over the persistent efforts of certain political actors to exploit his close relationship with Dr. Fayemi as a means to sow discord between him and President Tinubu.

Oyebode insisted that such tactics are bound to fail, pointing out that the President is an experienced and strategic leader who can easily see through such ploys.

He called on the people of Ekiti State to disregard what he described as a “childish media attack,” orchestrated by some overambitious politicians hoping to contest in the next governorship election.

According to him, these individuals lack both a viable platform and a connection with the electorate, and have resorted to spreading lies and propaganda on social media to compensate for their shortcomings.

“With the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) having now announced the date for the APC primary election, it is time for these aspirants to show courage.

“They should present their agendas to party members and the people of Ekiti, rather than hiding behind false narratives and resorting to underhanded tactics in their desperate bid for relevance,” the statement concluded.