By Adesakin Adefemi
An All Progressives Congress chieftain in Ekiti State, Abiodun Borisade, has said Governor Biodun Oyebanji is being used by God to unite the state 133 years after the Kiriji War. Borisade made the remark on Monday in Ijero Ekiti while awaiting the governor’s campaign train.
The Kiriji War, fought between 1877 and 1893, was a 16-year civil conflict among Yoruba sub-ethnic kingdoms. It pitted Western Yoruba groups, mainly Ibadan and Oyo, against Eastern Yoruba communities including Ekiti, Ijesa, Ijebu, and Yagba.
Borisade said the last time Ekiti spoke with one voice was during the war, when the people formed the Ekiti Parapo alliance. He argued that Oyebanji’s administration is now achieving a similar level of unity across towns, religions, and political divides.
“The last time in the collective history that Ekiti spoke with one voice was during the Kiriji War, unifying to form the Ekiti Parapo. God is using Governor Oyebanji to unite the state once again 133 years after the Kiriji War,” he said.
The APC chieftain restated his commitment to Oyebanji’s re-election bid, describing the governor as a “child of destiny” who would make political history in Ekiti. He expressed confidence that Oyebanji would secure a second term in the June 2026 governorship election.
Borisade predicted that Oyebanji would galvanize the entire political space and return to office through divine intervention. He said mobilization efforts were ongoing across communities ahead of the campaign visit to Ijero Local Government Area.
Supporters of the chieftain from Iloro Ekiti and Ijurin Ekiti turned out in T-shirts and fez caps bearing messages backing Oyebanji’s re-election. The group said door-to-door mobilization was already underway.
Borisade said his team is confident the governor will secure over 500,000 votes in the June 20 election. He urged residents to sustain the unity being fostered by the administration.
The APC campaign in Ekiti has focused on consolidating support across the state’s 16 local government areas ahead of the poll.
