Hon. Olajumoke Omawumi Declares ‘I can’t be Intimidated by Anyone’, Picks Ekiti 2016 Governorship Form
By Raphael Ekpang
Abuja (Core Reporters) In a bold step daring the male dominated political landscape in Nigeria, Ekiti state in particular, Honourable Abimbola Olajumoke has joined the race for the 2026 Ekiti State gubernatorial election, as she picked nomination and expression of interest forms at the national headquarters of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Abuja, on Tuesday, August 19, 2025.
Her entrance in the race means she will be challenging the incumbent, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, among others.
While addressing journalists shortly after she purchased the forms, Olajumoke promised to turn Ekiti state around in six months, if given the opportunity to lead the state come 2026.
According to her, president Bola Tinubu has done enough for Ekiti state in the last two years, but with nothing to show on ground because of the negligence of the current governor of the state.
She promised to rehabilitate abandoned roads, strengthen local governments, and ensure that funds meant for grassroots development are not diverted. Also aje vowed to “liberate Ekiti from a cabal that has held the state hostage since 1999.”
She accused successive administrations of mismanaging huge federal allocations to the state without visible development. Saying, “In the last three years alone, Governor Oyebanji’s administration has received over ₦500 billion from the federal government. Yet, there is nothing on ground—no roads, no schools, no hospitals—that justifies such funds,” she alleged.
She particularly faulted the handling of agricultural interventions, noting that despite President Bola Tinubu’s release of ₦50 billion last year for food security, Ekiti had failed to record any tangible progress.
“If Ekiti had invested ₦50 billion in agriculture, by now the state should be feeding the entire Southwest. But today, there is no single farm project the government can boast of,” she said.
The aspirant accused the present administration of “weaponizing poverty,” insisting that governance should be people-centered. “For 26 years, a particular cabal has controlled this state. It is time to change that. Governance should not be about enriching godfathers but about improving the lives of ordinary citizens,” she declared.
She also recalled her history of activism, citing her opposition to former Governor Ayodele Fayose over unpaid salaries. “I was arrested and detained for speaking up against Fayose. That shows I have always been consistent and courageous. Nobody can intimidate me,” she said.
Omawumi, who has long championed women and youth empowerment through her NGO, pledged to continue giving voice to marginalized groups.
“Ekiti women deserve liberation, and I will be their voice. My aspiration is about service, not sabotage. We women have the capacity to govern effectively, and I believe the wife of the president, who has always stood for women, will support us in this struggle,” she concluded.
