The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the June 20 Ekiti State governorship election, Dr Oluwole Oluyede, has pledged to work with Governor Biodun Oyebanji to secure a landslide victory for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.

Oluyede, who is also the convener of the Oluyede Progressive Alliance for Renewed Hope Agenda, made the commitment when Oyebanji paid him a courtesy visit at his hometown, Ikere Ekiti, on Friday.

The PDP chieftain said his collaboration with the governor was driven by a shared commitment to the development and progress of Ekiti State.

He also expressed support for continuity at the federal level, saying Tinubu should be allowed to continue with what he described as his “good works.”

Oluyede commended Oyebanji for his efforts in improving security, infrastructure and human capital development across the state.

He described the governor as “a fantastic gentleman, kind and generous,” while acknowledging his contributions to the development of Ekiti.

“He is working hard for a greater and more prosperous Ekiti. I commended him about three days ago. He is working hard on security in the state, and his investment in infrastructure is commendable,” Oluyede said.

He added that his meeting with Oyebanji was also aimed at strengthening efforts to ensure peaceful, free, fair and credible elections.

“Apart from that, our meeting today is to secure the state further. We want to have free, fair and credible general elections.

“We are also working together to deliver a landslide victory for the President, who is doing a fantastic job. The governor is also doing a fantastic job in Ekiti,” he said.

Oluyede attributed the relative peace and security in Ekiti to the state government’s sustained investment in the security sector.

He noted that his relationship with Oyebanji had remained cordial despite their political differences.

“Myself and Governor Oyebanji have been friends for a long time. We were in the same party, we diverged but we stuck together,” he said.

Oyebanji, in his remarks, commended Oluyede for his continued interest in the development of Ekiti State.

The governor said their collaboration was based on a shared desire to promote sustainable development and improve the welfare of residents.

Oyebanji thanked the PDP chieftain for what he described as his “good spirit” and commitment to the state.

He said discussions between them had consistently focused on finding solutions to the challenges facing Ekiti and maintaining peace across the state.

“Anytime I see Dr Oluyede, he is always talking about the development of the state, and that is what binds us together:

the spirit of developing the state, finding solutions to all the problems and working together in maintaining peace in the state,” Oyebanji said.

The governor described Oluyede as one of the most committed Ekiti indigenes he had encountered.

He expressed optimism that their collaboration would produce visible results for the people of the state.

“And I am sure in the next few days, Ekiti people will see the result of our collaboration,” Oyebanji said.

The development comes as political activities and alignments intensify ahead of the 2027 general election, with politicians and political groups across the country beginning to announce their positions and alliances.

The governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Delta State, Deacon Chris Iyovwaye, has rejected the endorsement of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as the “sole candidate” of the Urhobo Nation for the 2027 governorship election.

Iyovwaye said he would not withdraw from the race, insisting that the choice of who governs Delta State remains the constitutional right of the electorate.

His position followed the endorsement of Oborevwori for a second term by the Ukoko R’Ivie R’Urhobo, a forum of Urhobo traditional rulers.

Reacting to the development in a statement issued on Saturday, Iyovwaye said he respected the traditional rulers and the institutions they represent but maintained that their endorsement could not replace the electoral process.

“I hold our royal fathers and the exalted institutions they represent in the highest esteem. They are sacred custodians of our history, culture, customs and communal values.

“However, under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the electorate alone has the authority to elect the Governor of Delta State through the ballot box.

“An endorsement, no matter how dignified its source, cannot supersede or extinguish Deltans’ democratic right to choose their leaders,” he said.

The NDC candidate, who described himself as a “dutiful son of Urhobo land”, argued that the governorship of Delta State could not be determined through an ethnic consensus because the state is home to several ethnic groups.

“As an Urhobo man, I deeply understand the value of unity. But Delta State belongs to all of us — Urhobo, Ijaw, Itsekiri, Isoko, Anioma, and every community that calls this state home.

“The governorship is a sacred trust sought from all Deltans, not a title conferred by an ethnic consensus,” Iyovwaye said.

He also urged voters to scrutinise the performance of the incumbent administration rather than base their decisions solely on political endorsements and alignments.

According to him, the focus should be on how the state’s resources have translated into tangible economic and social benefits for residents.

“Accordingly, the central question should no longer simply be: ‘How much revenue does Delta State receive?’

“The more important question is: ‘What measurable economic transformation are Deltans receiving in return for these substantial resources?’” he said.

Iyovwaye further argued that Deltans should be presented with measurable evidence of the benefits of the state’s political relationships and alignment with the Federal Government.

“Deltans should not be asked to celebrate political alignment when what they require is meaningful economic transformation.

“If alignment with the Federal Government is presented as an advantage, then the people are entitled to ask: Where are the measurable benefits?

“These are not partisan questions. They are questions every responsible government should be prepared to answer,” he said.

The NDC candidate acknowledged the state government’s reported investments in roads, bridges and other infrastructure, but said government expenditure should ultimately be assessed based on its impact on the people.

“Those projects should be acknowledged where they serve the people. But expenditure is not the same thing as transformation,” he said.

Iyovwaye said the 2027 governorship election should therefore be centred on the performance, programmes and capacity of candidates rather than endorsements or political arrangements.

“That is why the 2027 election should be a referendum not merely on endorsements, personalities or political arrangements, but on performance, accountability, competence and vision,” he said.

He reaffirmed his commitment to the 2027 contest, saying he would continue his campaign across Delta State and would not step down.
“Performance must be the standard.

Development must be the measure.

Accountability must be non-negotiable. And the people must remain the final judge,” Iyovwaye said.

He added: “I respect our royal fathers. I respect Governor Oborevwori’s right to run. And above all, I respect the sacred right of every Deltan to choose.

“I will continue to campaign peacefully, constructively and firmly. I will not step down.

Minister of Works and former Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, has declared that there is no “Rainbow Coalition” in Ebonyi State, insisting that the state remains firmly aligned with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.

Umahi made the clarification on Friday, September 25, 2026, while inspecting Section Two of the Calabar-Abuja Superhighway in Ado, Benue State.

His comments came amid political disagreements involving the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and some APC governors over political arrangements ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Rainbow Coalition is a multi-party political platform promoted by Wike to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

Wike has maintained that the platform operates separately from the APC and allows politicians from different political parties to support Tinubu for president while retaining the freedom to pursue their interests in other elections.

However, Umahi dismissed reports suggesting that a similar political arrangement was taking shape in Ebonyi.

“If Wike has candidates here, he has not told me. And his candidate cannot break our relationship, but his candidate is not part of our relationship. There is no rainbow coalition in Ebonyi State,” Umahi said.

A statement issued on Saturday by the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of Works on Media, Francis Nwaze, said Umahi also directed contractors handling the Calabar-Abuja Superhighway to accelerate construction work.

Umahi revisits PDP exit
The former governor also revisited his decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying he took the decision because he believed the party had failed to adequately recognise the interests of the South-East.

According to him, people in the region supported the PDP and voted for its presidential candidates but were disappointed when they expected the party to reciprocate their support.

“We supported PDP. We voted for presidents in PDP. And when it was our time for them to honour us, they did not honour us. They maltreated us,” he said.

Umahi said political actors were free to campaign in Ebonyi but warned against hate speech and activities capable of causing instability in the state.

“Anybody that wants to campaign, come and campaign. But don’t dish out hate speeches and you want to take those speeches, and you want that we should lay a red carpet for you.

We will not do that,” he said.
“Nobody can foment crisis in Ebonyi State,” the minister added.

Umahi defends Tinubu’s infrastructure programme
Umahi also defended his support for President Bola Tinubu, linking his political position to the Federal Government’s infrastructure programme.

He rejected allegations that he had concentrated federal projects in the South-East because of his position as Minister of Works.

“I saw on social media where they say I cornered all projects to Southeast. That is very wonderful.

But we have the publication of all projects ongoing by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, so they darken counsel without knowledge,” he said.

Umahi stressed that he was implementing projects under the direction of the President.

“I’m not on my own. The President is my boss. So where will he be when I corner all projects to Southeast?” he asked.

The minister said infrastructure projects in the South-East were part of the Federal Government’s broader development programme, adding that although the region might not rank first, second or third in terms of project distribution, it would not be left behind.

“Definitely they will not be the last,” he said.

Umahi urged Nigerians to assess the Tinubu administration based on projects already being implemented rather than campaign promises.

“We tell our story. It’s not a question of saying, ‘I will do this, I’ll do this.’

What about the one that the person is doing? Let us compare the past with the present,” he said.

Calabar-Abuja highway project
The minister cited the Calabar-Abuja Superhighway as one of the major infrastructure projects being executed by the Federal Government.

According to Umahi, Section Two of the highway covers approximately 173.6 kilometres and has a contract value of about N683 billion, while Section One is valued at about N454 billion.

During the inspection in Benue State, the minister directed contractors not to demolish buildings located along the current alignment of the road until the Federal Government completes its review and determines whether adjustments to the route are necessary.

“My directive is that no building should be touched.

Even if it’s within the alignment, I have to come and realign it. So you just have to continue your work and go around those buildings until we come to look at it,” Umahi said.

He also instructed contractors to speed up construction and open additional sections of the highway while engineers work on challenges surrounding the Ado Bridge.

“I do not believe in engineering that anything is impossible,” the minister said.

Why Umahi supports Tinubu
Umahi further explained his support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election, saying it was based on the President’s policies and infrastructure agenda.

“What gave rise to this is because I believe in President Bola Tinubu. I believe that he’s the one called by God. I believe in his vision.

I believe in his reforms. I believe he’s the best person that I have worked with and for, and I’m very proud of working for him and working with him,” he said.

The minister argued that continuity was necessary for major infrastructure projects that require several years to complete.

“If, God forbid, another person says he’s President, all these projects will be stalled. And I don’t think Ebonyi wants their projects to be stalled,” Umahi said.

Umahi speaks on son’s council nomination
On the nomination of his son as chairman of Ohaozara Local Government Area, Umahi said the decision was made by Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru and not by him.

He said he had advised his son to ensure that development was distributed fairly across the 11 wards in the council area.

“I have advised him, don’t do anything for the people of Uburu because you are from Uburu.

It has to be equitably distributed among the eleven council wards in Ohaozara Local Government,” he said.

Umahi’s comments come as political parties and emerging alliances continue to position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections, with the role of the Rainbow Coalition and its relationship with the APC remaining a subject of political debate.