Ekiti 2026: Natasha, Oluyede show Oyebanji the red card, promise roads, wealth creation and better governance

By Idowu Adebomi, Ado Ekiti

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, Dr. Wole Oluyede, on Saturday intensified his campaign against the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, dramatically issuing what he described as a "red card" to the incumbent governor while unveiling a raft of development plans aimed at transforming the state.

At the PDP's grand finale mega rally held in Ado-Ekiti ahead of the June 20 governorship election, Oluyede pledged to rehabilitate township roads across all 16 local government areas within his first 100 days in office if elected, while promising to prioritise wealth creation, healthcare development and commercial agriculture.

The rally attracted a mammoth crowd of supporters and notable PDP leaders from across the country, including Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who travelled from Abuja to campaign for the party's standard-bearer and urged Ekiti voters to entrust their future to Oluyede.

Addressing party supporters, Oluyede accused the Oyebanji administration of failing to implement people-oriented policies and declared that the time had come for a change in leadership.

"We don't need potholes at every 10 feet. We will ensure that all township roads are resurfaced within our first 100 days in office. We also need local government chairmen who can perform and bring development closer to the grassroots," Oluyede said.

The PDP candidate identified unemployment and the absence of a productive economy as major challenges confronting the state, arguing that successive administrations had focused largely on expanding the public service rather than creating sustainable wealth.

"One of the biggest problems in Ekiti is that we have not created wealth in the last 30 years. We have concentrated on employing people into government service instead of building an economy that empowers citizens. We must create wealth by supporting our farmers to embrace commercial agriculture," he stated.

According to him, boosting agricultural productivity would improve household incomes, strengthen local enterprises and expand the state's revenue base.

Oluyede also promised a comprehensive overhaul of the healthcare sector, lamenting the poor condition of many public hospitals across the state.

He said many health facilities currently suffer from inadequate equipment, poor maintenance culture and weak funding, stressing that his administration would make quality healthcare accessible to all residents.

The PDP flagbearer also criticised Governor Oyebanji over what he described as inadequate attention to victims of insecurity, particularly residents of Eda Oniyo affected by kidnapping incidents.

He faulted the governor's recent engagement with President Bola Tinubu, arguing that despite the President's acknowledgement of security challenges during his Democracy Day address, the plight of Eda Oniyo victims was not adequately highlighted.

In a dramatic moment that electrified the crowd, Oluyede produced a red card from his pocket and symbolically issued it to Governor Oyebanji.

Holding the card aloft, he declared:

"This is a red card that I have brought to tell Oyebanji and his cronies that it is time for him to leave Government House. When a player is issued a red card, he leaves the field immediately. That is what I have just done. Oyebanji, your time is up."

The gesture drew loud cheers and applause from party faithful, who waved banners and chanted slogans in support of the PDP candidate.

Speaking at the rally, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan described Oluyede as the most qualified candidate in the governorship contest and urged Ekiti residents to vote massively for him.

The Kogi Central senator revealed that she served on the PDP screening committee that assessed governorship aspirants and said Oluyede distinguished himself through his competence, composure and vision.

"From the moment I met him during the screening process, I found him to be the most qualified candidate. He answered questions calmly and intelligently. He is cool, calm and collected, and I am convinced that health, education and agriculture will receive the attention they deserve under his administration," she said.

Akpoti-Uduaghan explained that her participation in the campaign was also driven by her commitment to the welfare of women, youths and the large Ebira community resident in Ekiti State.

She noted that many Ebira people have made significant contributions to agriculture and economic activities in the state and deserve leadership that prioritises development and inclusion.

The senator urged voters to put competence above partisan sentiments when casting their ballots.

"The future of every society depends on the quality of leaders it elects. Vote for the candidate you can trust with your future and the future of your children. Vote for credibility, capacity and vision," she advised.

The PDP deputy governorship candidate, Deji Ogunsakin, also took a swipe at the Oyebanji administration, accusing it of showing insufficient concern for victims of insecurity across the state.

Ogunsakin specifically referenced the abduction of residents of Eda Oniyo, lamenting that more than 45 days after the incident, some victims were still being held captive by kidnappers.

He argued that the government must demonstrate greater urgency and empathy in addressing security challenges and supporting affected families.

The rally featured party leaders, women groups, youth organisations and thousands of supporters from across Ekiti's 16 local government areas, all expressing optimism that the PDP would emerge victorious in the June 20 governorship election.

As the campaign enters its final stretch, the symbolic red card displayed by both Oluyede's rhetoric and Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan's endorsement has become the latest rallying point for the PDP's effort to unseat the ruling administration and usher in what the party describes as a new era of responsive governance in Ekiti State.