ABUJA — The African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Amb. Oluwadare Patrick Bejide, on Wednesday, said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had lost its grip on the state.

 

 

He argued that only a deep, far-reaching political overhaul could rescue Ekiti from collapsing infrastructure, declining civil service morale and a tarnished public image.

 

 

 

The remark came during a brief ceremony at the ADC National Headquarters in Abuja, where Bejide received his Certificate of Return.

 

The event was presided over by the Deputy National Chairman, Babachir Lawal, who represented the party’s National Chairman, Senator David Mark.

 

Speaking afterwards, Bejide mapped out his development agenda and expressed confidence that Ekiti was on the verge of an electoral upset in 2026.

 

“Ekiti is yearning for a change. The present government has not met the expectations of our people. From every entry point; whether from Kwara or Ondo, the roads are a nightmare. Our people want someone who will salvage the situation, and we are prepared to win this election convincingly,” he said.

 

Bejide said he believed the ADC was well-positioned to unseat the APC, banking on what he described as a strong, people-centred grassroots mobilisation across the state.

 

He identified infrastructure renewal, agricultural development and improved civil service welfare as central pillars of his vision, stressing that these areas had suffered severe neglect.

 

“Years ago, once you said you were from Ekiti, you were respected everywhere. Today, the narrative has changed because bad boys have taken over. We will change that,” he declared.

 

Highlighting his long career in politics and public service, Bejide traced his journey through various roles over more than three decades. He served as State Secretary of the NRC in the old Ondo State, became the pioneer secretary of both the UNCP and the PDP in Ekiti, and was running mate to Prof. Tunde Adeniran in the 1999 governorship race.

 

 

He later served as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Canada before returning home to serve multiple times as Secretary to the Ekiti State Government, as well as chairing the Federal Medical Centre and the UNHCR Board.

 

He said these cumulative experiences had equipped him with the depth of knowledge required to steer Ekiti through meaningful reform.

 

Bejide noted that agriculture would be a key focus of his administration, arguing that Ekiti’s location gives it the potential to feed major cities like Lagos and Abuja if its agricultural capacity is properly harnessed.

 

He also promised to restore faith in government by prioritising the welfare of civil servants, whom he described as the backbone of the state’s development but whose morale had visibly declined.

 

Justifying his choice of platform, Bejide said the ADC stood out for its internal order, fairness and unity; qualities he believed were lacking in other parties currently battling internal disputes and court cases.

 

“Our party stands firmly on solid ground. We conducted a primary that produced me as candidate, while other parties are still in court. ADC offers the stability needed to pursue good governance,” he said.

 

Reaffirming his commitment to a vigorous grassroots campaign, he maintained that the 2026 election would mark a turning point in Ekiti’s political direction.

 

Earlier, ADC Deputy National Chairman Babachir Lawal voiced strong confidence in Bejide’s chances, urging the people of Ekiti to support him for the sake of the state’s progress.