Opposition Parties Unite to Contest Ekiti 2026 Gov election

A new political coalition has emerged in Ekiti State with the aim of unseating the incumbent administration in the forthcoming June 2026 governorship election.

Named the Ekiti Rainbow Coalition, the alliance comprises six political parties and a faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The coalition announced its formation during a rally in Ado Ekiti on Saturday, declaring its primary objective is to mobilize support and present a single, credible candidate capable of defeating the current government.

Chairman of the coalition, Mr. Owoola Daramola who is also the governorship candidate of the Young People’s Party (YPP) stated that the move was born out of a shared concern for the state’s future. “Ekiti people deserve better governance, better leadership, and better results,” Daramola told supporters.

He listed the participating parties as Accord, YPP, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Action Alliance, Action Democratic Party, Boot Party, and a segment of the APC.

A Coalition to “Restore Choice”

Daramola emphasized that the 2026 election should be a competitive contest, not a coronation. “This coalition is about restoring choice, accountability, and dignity to governance in Ekiti State,” he said.

He assured that the coalition would not impose a candidate but would carefully select a figure with popular appeal, competence, and character. “We will not gamble with Ekiti’s future. Our candidate will be credible, competent, and decided freely and decisively,” Daramola added.

The coalition chairman linked the alliance’s creation to widespread hardship, stating, “Across Ekiti State, people are feeling the pressure… many citizens feel disconnected from decisions that affect their lives.”

Endorsement from Party Chairs

Leaders of the participating parties voiced strong support for the unified front.

Ekiti State Chairman of Accord, Philip Adeniji, aligned the coalition with national politics, expressing a “vote of confidence” in President Bola Tinubu for a second term in 2027. On the state level, he criticized the current administration, calling it “government by a set of people for themselves.” He stated, “We need a change of order, a new dawn to move forward.”

Similarly, the NNPP State Chairman, Ade Ayeni, expressed passion for the coalition, stating their goal is “to present the best Ekiti can produce among the various governorship candidates.”

The coalition has signalled its intent to begin profiling potential candidates, setting the stage for a concerted campaign to challenge the established political order in the state.