Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has issued a blunt warning to some of his aides whom he accused of failing to defend the government on social media.
Speaking in a video that recently circulated online, the governor said he was disappointed that certain political appointees preferred to remain quiet when the administration was being criticised, despite receiving salaries and other benefits.
According to him, such conduct amounted to “eating from both sides.”
Oyebanji insisted that defending government policies and countering misinformation should not be left to outsiders or loyalists alone.
He explained that silence from those who occupy official positions was a sign of divided loyalty and an act of betrayal.
“We must take control of the social media space,” he cautioned.
“It is not that critics have the upper hand, but some of my appointees, because they are double-sided, do not have the courage to speak up.
“They are present on platforms where the government is attacked yet keep mute. Meanwhile, they collect salaries every month. I am marking them one by one.
“I may not react now, but those who refuse to stand by this government while enjoying its benefits will face the consequences at the right time.”
His comments have been widely interpreted as both a warning and a call to action, reminding his team that loyalty must be visible, especially in the age of social media where public narratives are shaped instantly.
While the governor tightened the reins on his political circle, he simultaneously received a major boost from an influential support base.
The Alumni Association of Ekiti State University (EKSU), through its solidarity wing known as the EKSU Alumni Solidarity Group for Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO), announced its formal endorsement of his re-election bid.
In a dramatic show of commitment, the group purchased the All Progressives Congress (APC) Expression of Interest and Nomination forms for the governor ahead of the 2026 Ekiti governorship race.
The ₦75 million needed for the forms was raised by members of the association in what they described as the first stage of a broader fundraising plan.
The forms were collected at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja, with the group’s Director General and Immediate Past Global President of the Alumni Association, Dipo Bamisaye, leading the delegation.
He explained that the decision was motivated by the governor’s performance in office.
“Governor Oyebanji’s first term achievements inspired this effort,” Bamisaye said.
“We believe his leadership deserves to continue, which is why we came together to raise funds.
“The ₦75 million used to purchase the forms is only a starting point. We are committed to mobilizing even more support as the elections draw closer.”
The combination of internal discipline and external support paints a clear picture of Oyebanji’s political strategy as 2026 approaches.
On one hand, he is demanding absolute loyalty from his team; on the other, he is consolidating broad-based backing from grassroots and institutional stakeholders.
With the EKSU alumni endorsement, analysts suggest that the governor has not only secured symbolic support but also tapped into a strong network of professionals and opinion leaders who could shape the outcome of the primaries and the general election.
For Oyebanji, the message is clear: loyalty within and support without will form the backbone of his campaign for a second term.