By Oluwagbemiga Toye
As political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections begin to take shape in Ekiti State, leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oye Constituency II have reportedly endorsed the Senior Assistant to the Governor on Gender Mobilisation and Women Empowerment, Chief Mrs. Kemisola Olaleye, as the party’s consensus candidate for the Ekiti State House of Assembly seat.
Sources within the party disclosed on Wednesday that Olaleye, a prominent grassroots mobiliser and political strategist, secured the backing of key party stakeholders across the constituency and state following consultations aimed at strengthening the party’s chances in the forthcoming election.
Olaleye, who currently serves as the political gatekeeper for Oye Local Government, also played a leading role as the chairman of the consensus arrangement that produced candidates for the Ifeloju Local Council Development Area (LCDA) chairmanship and councillorship positions.
Her endorsement by party leaders is widely seen as recognition of her loyalty, political dexterity and consistent support for the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji.
The former Deputy Chairman of the APC in Ekiti State, Olaleye hails from Osin Ekiti in Ifeloju LCDA, Ilupeju Ekiti. Over the years, she has built a reputation as a strong advocate for women’s participation in politics and grassroots political mobilisation across the state.
Before her emergence as the preferred candidate, there had been intense lobbying by the incumbent lawmaker representing the constituency, Hon. Idowu Odebunmi, who was reportedly seeking a return ticket while stakeholders from Ire Ekiti had also canvassed for the seat , saying it’s their turn based on an existing rotational understanding within the constituency.
Meanwhile, political permutations within the Ekiti North Senatorial District and Oye–Ikole Federal Constituency are also gathering momentum as the 2027 elections approach, Sources hinted that former member of the House of Representatives and convener of the popular “BAO Walk” initiative, Hon. Bimbo Daramola, has lost the chance as some party leaders were said to have posed stiff resistance over a possible ambition to represent Oye–Ikole Federal Constituency 1 in the House of Representatives.
Although Daramola has not yet formally declare his intention, political observers believe he has shown interest in the race through Bao Walk across the length and breathe of Ekiti state. As of the time of filing this report, the APC is yet to unveil its preferred candidate for the federal constituency. Recall, Akin Rotimi Junior is the current House of Representatives member while other new entrants have joined the race.
In a related development, the current senator representing Ekiti North Senatorial District, Senator Cyril Fasuyi, is said to be intensifying consultations to retain his seat in the Senate in 2027. Some party insiders, however, linked his early political moves to concerns about his abysmal performance in office.
There are also speculations among political stakeholders that former senator Ayo Arise could emerge as a strong contender for the senatorial ticket if the party decides to open the race.
Observers say the unfolding political developments underscore the growing contest for strategic positions within the APC in Ekiti North, with party leaders expected to carefully manage the emerging interests to avoid internal divisions ahead of the 2027 polls.