Ekiti youth to review three years of Oyebanji’s leadership

A civic group, Ekiti Future Agenda, says it will bring together at least 100 young leaders to evaluate the progress of the state under Gover...

A civic group, Ekiti Future Agenda, says it will bring together at least 100 young leaders to evaluate the progress of the state under Governor Biodun Oyebanji.

EFA stated that this will be done in its bid to reimagine the future of governance in the Fountain of Knowledge.

PUNCH Online reports that Oyebanji’s tenure expires on October 16, 2026, according to a timetable of the electoral schedule for the state on the Independent National Electoral Commission website.

According to the group, the event, themed “Three Years of BAO, Reimagining Governance: Young Leaders’ Perspectives on Ekiti State’s Progress”, will hold on October 18 in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, and is expected to serve as both a commemorative reflection and a policy dialogue on the trajectory of development since the state’s creation in 1996.

According to the convener of the Ekiti Future Agenda, Adesina Adetola, the roundtable is “not just another anniversary talkshop,” but “a platform for young people to interrogate governance, assess progress, and shape the next chapter of Ekiti’s story.”

“While the event is to commemorate the 29th anniversary of the state’s creation, it is also to mark the third year of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji.

“It’s therefore an opportunity to assess how much progress the state has made so,” Adetola said.

He explained that the EFA deliberately chose to focus on young leaders because of their critical role in nation-building and democratic renewal.

“Bearing in mind the vintage position of young people in societal development, as well as their strategic roles in political movements — bringing energy, creativity, and fresh perspectives to social and political causes — it is very important to engage them objectively and in a resourceful atmosphere,” he said.

Adetola, in a statement shared with PUNCH Online on Wednesday, added that the gathering would be a “convergence of Ekiti young leaders from diverse areas of life,” noting that scholars, technocrats, politicians, and unionists are among those expected to speak at and participate in the dialogue.

“The event will be a convergence of Ekiti young leaders from diverse walks of life and will feature prominent young personalities — including scholars, technocrats, politicians, and unionists — as speakers and participants,” he declared.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress on Tuesday adopted Oyebanji as its consensus candidate for the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election.

APC disclosed this as it announced its decision to switch the state primary election from a direct primary to a consensus mode.

Since its formation in 2010, the Ekiti Future Agenda (EFA) has been involved in numerous initiatives and advocacy programmes aimed at strengthening the state’s civic and developmental culture.

“Our roundtable events are not talkshops.

“They are designed as conversations that serve as a rendezvous of ideas and strategies toward the holistic development of Ekiti State in all areas,” Adetola said.

He maintained that the anniversary provides the right opportunity to “celebrate achievements, identify gaps, and renew commitment to collective progress.”

“At 29, Ekiti must look beyond politics and personalities to the bigger question of sustainable development.

“We believe young leaders must be at the heart of this reflection — because they are not just the future; they are the present drivers of change,” he concluded.

PUNCH Online reported the state’s governorship race situation and that INEC had fixed the conduct of party primaries and resolution of issues arising from them to take place between October 20 and November 10, 2025.

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