Gboyega Adeoye ) Omo Igberko)
The recent developments in Ekiti State’s political landscape, particularly in the struggle for the Oke Ayaba government house, have brought to the fore the age-old issue of manipulation in politics. The incumbent governor, Biodun Oyebanji, with the support of some key elements in the state and the party national secretariat, has seemingly foisted himself as the consensus candidate for the party primaries coming up on October 27, 2025, at the expense of the most popular candidate, Engr Kayode Ojo.
While the Oyebanji camp may have won the first phase, it’s far from being uhuru. The manner in which they are handling their victory, particularly the disqualification of obvious members on the basis that they are not party members, is not only absurd but also suicidal.
Democracy is indeed a game of number, and attempting to ride roughshod over the rights of the most popular aspirant, who is not just contesting the guber race under same party, for the first time, is like deliberately stabbing victory ahead of time.
History has shown us time and again that manipulation can lead to electoral loss, even for the most seemingly invincible incumbents. In the Philippines, President Ferdinand Marcos’s attempts to extend his rule through manipulated elections ultimately led to his downfall. Similarly, in Kenya, President Daniel Arap Moi’s efforts to impose his preferred successor in 2002 backfired, leading to the opposition’s victory.
In Nigeria’s own history, the June 12 presidential election annulment in 1993 remains a potent reminder of the dangers of electoral manipulation. The aftermath of that annulment led to widespread unrest and ultimately paved the way for the country’s transition to democracy.
The lesson from these instances is clear: attempts to manipulate the electoral process can have far-reaching and often disastrous consequences.
As the Ekiti State governorship election approaches, it’s crucial for the Oyebanji camp to recognize that there is still a mountain to climb to victory, and that mountain cannot be easily manipulated against the wish of the people.
The people of Ekiti State deserve a free and fair election, where the most popular candidate is given the opportunity to contest and win based on their merits. Anything short of that would be a betrayal of the democratic principles that have been hard-won.
The Oyebanji camp would do well to heed the wisdom of leaders who, after the Civil War victory between 1967 and 1970, adopted the “no victor, no vanquished” policy to ensure Nigeria’s progress.
It’s not yet time to rejoice, Mr. Oyebanji. The game is far from over, and the people of Ekiti State are watching closely.
