As political gladiators upscale their games ahead of the June 20, 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State, the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, has assured that the current government will emplace mechanisms that will rein in the activities of violent politicians for the safety of all citizens.
Mrs Afuye, who echoed unity and peaceful coexistence among political players, as the best way to achieve the foregoing, said Governor Biodun Oyebanji, as the Chie Security Officer, won’t give any politician a leeway to unleash terror or turn the state into battleground on account of election.
The Deputy Governor gave the assurance, on Friday, at Ikere political stakeholders and leaders’ summit, held in Ikere Ekiti, and convened at the behest of Ikere Development Forum(IDF) ahead of the 2026 governorship poll..
Speaking at the summit , with the kernel: “Building a United Ikere: Collaborative Politics & Governance for Sustainable Development And Peaceful Elections”, Mrs Afuye, described Governor Oyebanji as an apostle of peace, who won’t subscribe to any shady action that could heat up the polity, or compromise the system.
She said the governor, is incurably committed to joining the Independent National Electoral Commission, the security agencies and other stakeholders, for the conduct of election that would be bereft of violence and meet the international standards.
Mrs Afuye saluted the conveners of the summit for their innovation and sense of patriotism towards peace building in the town, describing this as a rare demonstration of leadership that can guarantee togetherness among political gladiators and parties.
“It is a known fact that nothing can be achieved under the atmosphere of acrimony, discord and dissonances. It is under the atmosphere of peace and cohesion that we can forge a united front to boost our prominence in Ekiti State.
“Governor Oyebanji, is a rabid lover of peace and consensus building. This manifested in the robust relationships he had built with political leaders across party lines. His topnotch relationships with non-political leaders showed that he was ready for true leadership.
“The governor is ever ready to help the INEC and security agencies to provide a level playing ground for all contestants and political parties in this governorship election. The Governor had promised that nobody will be allowed to make Ekiti a battleground just because of election and on this he firmly stands”, she said.
Mrs Afuye commended IDF and other stakeholders for midwifing the summit, saying this will help in strengthening the cord of unity among political players and make Ikere Ekiti a microcosm of peace and development.
For the community to move forward in all spheres and gets its bearing right in politics, Mrs Afuye urged the indigenes to eschew infighting, divisions, discriminations and other actions that could weaken the town politically, socially and economically
“This town is the second largest town in Ekiti State. Our not being relegated can only be averted, if all political players shun violence, thuggery, acrimony and join the popular will of the people in the overall interest of Ikere Ekiti kingdom.
“The pull him down and backstabbing tendencies should be laid to rest and buried. Nothing can we profit through infighting, or by washing our dirty linens in the open.
“One thing is certain, for us to move forward as a people, we can’t continue to be arch enemies of ourselves, no matter how aggrieved and unpleased we are about a certain political situation, decision or trend”.
Harping on the imperative of politicians upscaling quality representation as an antidote to poverty, an ex-Deputy Governor, Biodun Aluko, appealed to those in positions of authorities to provide employment for youth, unite the town and provide effective leadership that can help the community grow and develop.
A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress and former Deputy Governor, Prof Kolapo Olusola, urged political gladiators to respect the plurality of opinions and ambitions during elections, warning that the kernel of the programme will be aborted, if politicians imbibe win- at -all- cost spirit.
In his remarks, a high ranking chieftain of Ikere Development Forum, the convener of the peace initiative, Pastor Tope Orolu, revealed that the programme was designed to discuss the present and future of Ikere politics and how to foster peace and development in the town.
Pastor Orolu averred that the action was a noble effort geared towards strengthening the cord of unity among political players and ward off actions that could stoke ember of acrimony that could create cleavages and have dire consequences on the town.
Campaigning against politics of bitterness and desperation under the current political climate, the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado, represented by Sapetu of Ikere, Chief Olufemi Babatola, reflected on the gory incidences of 1966 and 1983 political crises, where property worth millions of Naira were destroyed in the community.
The monarch, who is the Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, warned against the repeat of such harrowing experiences, and this, he said, could only be achieved, when politicians are circumspect of their actions and imbibe the spirit of patriotism during electioneering process.
High profile Ikere indigenes at the summit are: Former House of Representatives member, Hon Yemi Aladejebi, former Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Bankers, Mr. Femi Ekundayo, an APC chieftain, Mr. Kola Alabi, Chairman of Ikere Local Government, Hon Olu Adamolekun, Chairman of Ikere West LCDA, Hon Rufus Olorunfemi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Legal Matters, Barr Niyi Idowu, Chairman, Ekiti State Teaching Service Commission, Mrs Rhoda Ojo, former Information Commissioner, Hon Muyiwa Olumilua, Otunba Bisi Aloba, former Majority Leader, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon Kayode Babade, Deputy Chief of Staff, Deputy Governor’s Office, Hon Victor Adeniyi, former Ikere Local Government Chairman, Hon Gbenga Omole, Mr. Olaniyi Alonge, among others.