Ekiti 2026: ADC aspirant warns against vote buying, cash, rice gifts

African Democratic Congress governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, Ayodele David-Adesua, has cautioned the electorate in the state against being deceived again with rice gifts and cash tokens from politicians in the June 20, 2026, governorship election in the state.

The businessman and politician, who spoke at his Ijesa Isu Ekiti hometown on Saturday when he officially declared his intent to contest for the ADC governorship ticket, urged Ekiti people, “Do not be deceived with bags of rice and little cash during electioneering, which may make people change their minds from voting for the right leader. Shun these enticements and vote right for development in the forthcoming election.

“The result of being swayed by rice and other material gifts and cash tokens during election has always been incompetent leadership, poor governance and lack of development as is the case in Ekiti now”.

The ADC aspirant assured that “as governor, I will redress the underdevelopment which the state has faced in all sectors of the economy.

“My people and growth-centred administration will implement open-door policies, empower youth and women, and foster development across the state”.

While seeking party members’ support to emerge as the party’s candidate, David-Adesua hailed the party leadership, governorship aspirants, members and supporters in attendance at the event, saying it was a demonstration of the unity,  cohesion, quality and readiness to take over power in the state through the 2026 election.

Among ADC chieftains in attendance were a former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Prof. Kolapo Olusola-Eleka; former Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Gboyega Aribisogan; and governorship aspirants Prof. Muyiwa Babalola, and Chief Kayode Eegunjobi.

A former deputy governor, Olusola-Eleka, lauded the prevailing atmosphere of peace, unity, and cooperation within the ADC in Ekiti State, expressing confidence that these would enhance the anticipated success in the governorship election.

He urged all governorship aspirants to “uphold this spirit of mutual respect, harmony and collective purpose as the party moves forward in its journey toward the forthcoming election”.

ADC chieftain and former Speaker, Aribisogan, who expressed delight at the impressive turnout, reaffirmed ADC’s commitment to transparency and credibility in the selection process, assuring party members that all aspirants would be provided with a level playing field in activities leading to the emergence of the party candidate.

A governorship aspirant, Babalola lauded Adesua for his courage and dedication, describing the declaration as “a reflection of the party’s deepening internal democracy and transparency.”

Babalola, who said ADC was blessed with credible and visionary aspirants with a passion for repositioning Ekiti State on the foundations of integrity, innovation, and inclusive development, said, “This is not about competition but collaboration. We are united by the mission to rescue and rebuild Ekiti through visionary and  people-centred leadership”

In his remark, another aspirant, Eegunjobi, said, “ADC remains the only credible alternative party capable of bringing true change to Ekiti State.

“It is in this light that I urge all citizens to collect their Permanent Voter Cards and get ready to participate actively in the forthcoming Ekiti State governorship election. Our votes are our power to shape a better future”.

The Ekiti State governorship election will hold on June 20, 2026, the Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed between October 20 and November 10, 2025, for party primaries to select the candidates of the participating parties.

In ADC, no fewer than six aspirants – David Adesua; an ex-banker, Adeyinka Alli; a former High Commissioner to Canada, Dare Bejide; Eegunjobi; Babalola; and ICT expert, Emmanuel Fayose – have indicated interest in the party’s governorship ticket.