The leadership of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, restated its support for Governor Biodun Oyebanji ahead of the 2026 governorship election and denied any link with a group using the name Afenifere Ekiti.
The Ekiti State chapter of Afenifere said it remains aligned with the All Progressives Congress and continues to back Oyebanji as its preferred candidate for the next election cycle. The group’s position was made known after reports emerged that another body, calling itself Afenifere Ekiti, had declared support for the African Democratic Congress and its governorship candidate, Dare Bejide, during a recent stakeholders’ meeting.
Reacting to the development, the recognised Afenifere leadership in the state, led by its chairman, Jonathan Alade, and secretary, Ronke Okusanya, stated that the group backing the ADC had no standing within Afenifere. The organisation said the individuals involved were not registered members and had no mandate to speak or act on its behalf.
In a statement released by the state publicity secretary, Biodun Akin-Fasae, Afenifere in Ekiti described the rival group as people pursuing personal interests while attempting to benefit from the organisation’s name and reputation. The statement explained that the group was unknown to the Ekiti chapter and did not appear in its official records.
The organisation further explained that any claim of leadership or membership by the group was false and misleading, urging the public to ignore statements or political positions credited to it. Afenifere said it would not allow its identity to be used for political games or internal disputes.
The group also restated that it has no dealings with the African Democratic Congress or any other political party outside the APC. It added that its support for Governor Oyebanji remains unchanged and rooted in its long-standing political direction and values.
Afenifere in Ekiti concluded by saying it would continue to operate within its guiding principles and would not be distracted by what it described as attempts to create confusion ahead of the 2026 governorship election.