The African Democratic Congress, ADC, on Wednesday presented Mr. Oluwadare Bejide with a certificate of return, officially naming him the party’s candidate for the June 2026 Ekiti State governorship election.
Presenting the certificate, the party’s Deputy National Chairman, Babachir Lawan, urged Bejide to return to Ekiti and work toward securing victory for the ADC.
In his acceptance remarks, Bejide outlined his agenda, promising that his administration would prioritise infrastructural development across the state to drive economic growth, boost public services, and enhance community wellbeing.
He pledged to revive core Ekiti values by promoting integrity, cultural pride, responsible leadership, and unity qualities he said would help restore the identity that once defined the state.
Bejide highlighted agriculture as a central focus of his agenda, noting that the sector remained key to economic expansion, job creation, and long-term sustainable development.
He also committed to strengthening human capital development and reforming the civil service to ensure professionalism, efficiency, and strong institutions, which he said were essential for an effective and responsive government.
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Explaining why he chose the ADC, Bejide said the party stood out as stable, unified, and service-driven at a time when many other political parties were engulfed in internal crises. He described the ADC as the only reliable platform with credible leadership and steadfast commitment to democratic principles.
Bejide emphasised that the party’s values democracy, transparency, good governance, and accountability aligned with his mission to deliver responsible leadership and meaningful progress for Ekiti people.
Reflecting on his political experience, Bejide noted that he had served twice as Secretary to the Ekiti State Government under the Peoples Democratic Party. His political career, he said, began even before the creation of Ekiti State, when he served as State Secretary of the NRC in the old Ondo State under Chairman Tom Ikimi.
He recalled serving as the pioneer Secretary of the UNCP in Ekiti during its formative years, later becoming the first PDP Secretary in the state. He ran as Prof. Tunde Adeniran’s running mate in 1999 and was subsequently appointed Nigeria’s ambassador to Canada.
After his diplomatic service, he returned as Secretary to the State Government under different administrations. He also chaired the Federal Medical Centre and worked with UNHCR.
Bejide said his extensive experience across political, administrative, and diplomatic roles had fully equipped him to govern Ekiti effectively.
