Afenifere Names Favourite Candidate For Ekiti 2026 Governorship Election

The Ekiti State chapter of Afenifere has dismissed reports linking the Yoruba socio-political group to the endorsement of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate, Dare Bejide, ahead of the June 2026 governorship election.

The group described the claim as false and misleading, insisting that it neither endorsed Bejide nor had any relationship with the ADC.

Naija News reports that in a statement issued on Thursday by its Publicity Secretary, Biodun Akin-Fasae, the Ekiti Afenifere leadership said the individuals claiming to have endorsed the ADC candidate were fake and unrecognised.

The statement, jointly issued by the group’s leader, Elder Jonathan Yemi Alade, and its Secretary, Chief Ronke Okusanya, disowned the group, stressing that it had no mandate to speak for Afenifere in the state.

According to the organisation, “Individuals parading themselves as leaders and members of Afenifere are not known to the Ekiti chapter and have no authority to act or speak on behalf of the group.”

The group further stated that the alleged organisation, said to be led by Olayemi Olajuyinmi, was not listed in its official membership register and had no affiliation whatsoever with Afenifere in Ekiti State.

It accused the group of attempting to exploit the name, legacy and reputation of Afenifere for personal and political gains.

Afenifere urged members of the public to disregard any statements credited to the group, describing such actions as deliberate attempts to mislead voters.

Reiterating its political stance, the Ekiti Afenifere chapter said it remained firmly aligned with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and unequivocally supported the re-election bid of Governor Biodun Oyebanji.

The group noted that the governor deserved a second term based on his performance and commitment to the development of the state.

The organisation stressed that it had no relationship with the ADC or any other political party outside the APC, insisting that any contrary claims were false, misleading and intended to cause confusion.

It, therefore, urged the public to remain vigilant and not fall for what it described as the antics of political opportunists seeking to create unnecessary tension ahead of the 2026 governorship election.