Says ‘Party Decisions are Supreme’, Pushes for Hon Dare Bankole or Hon Jagunlabi as Fresh Alternatives for 2027
ILORIN, KWARA STATE – A former All Progressives Congress, APC, Chairmanship Aspirant in Ekiti Local Government Area, Ambassador Anjorin Babatunde, has publicly berated Hon. Ganiu Abolarin Gabriel, the member representing Ekiti Constituency at the Kwara State House of Assembly, accusing him of “instigating traditional heads” against the ruling party in the council.
Amb. Anjorin, in a statement made available to Veritas News Hub on Wednesday, August 27, 2026, described the move as “politically desperate and culturally insensitive,” insisting that party supremacy must be respected and traditional institutions should not be dragged into partisan disputes.
‘Kings Should Not Interfere with Party Issues’
According to the former aspirant, the internal affairs of the APC are guided by the party’s constitution and structures, and not by the palace.
“Party decisions are supreme. Our kings are fathers to all. To instigate traditional heads against the party is to put them in an uncomfortable position they never asked for,” Amb. Anjorin said.
He added that “the kings’ community does not want their sole decision to be pressured or used as a tool for political survival,” stressing that royal fathers should be allowed to remain neutral custodians of peace and culture in Ekiti land.
The rebuke comes amid rising political tension in Ekiti LGA ahead of the 2027 general elections, with different blocs within the APC jostling for influence and nominations, despite straight clear party decisions.
‘Clipper Empowerment Berate Our People"
Taking a swipe at the lawmaker’s performance, Amb. Anjorin alleged that despite what he described as “poor performance” by Hon. Abolarin at the State Assembly, the legislator has continued to package minor gestures as major achievements.
“Everything he has done is being tagged as ‘clipper empowerment’. Ekiti people deserve more than that. We deserve visible legislative impact, constituency projects, youth engagement, and a voice that speaks with weight in Abuja, not who can't even express the pain of his people,” he stated.
He argued that the people of Ekiti Constituency have been shortchanged in terms of representation and should not settle for “tokenism” when the LGA has the capacity to produce stronger leaders.
Ekiti Has ‘More Capable Hands’ – Anjorin Names Hon Dare Bankole or Jagunlabi
The former chairmanship hopeful further asserted that Ekiti bloc within the APC is not lacking in qualified alternatives, and urged party stakeholders to look beyond the incumbent underperformed political office holders.
“Ekiti bloc has more capable hands than the present honorable. We have fresh minds, competent youths who understand governance and grassroots mobilization,” he said.
Amb. Anjorin specifically named two emerging figures: Hon.Hon. Dare Bankole, or Hon Jagunlabi describing them as “leading youth aspirants” that the party should consider for a “fresh mind” and “better representation” come 2027.
“These are names that resonate with the youth, with credibility, and with a vision to move Ekiti block and our entire Federal Constituency forward. We cannot continue to recycle underperformance,” he added.
On the reported attempt to involve traditional rulers in the face-off, Amb. Anjorin warned that such tactics would backfire.
“Pressuring kings won’t help the issue. Our monarchs are revered, but they are not party executives. When you try to drag them into party politics, you risk politicizing the throne and creating division in our communities,” he cautioned.
He called on APC leaders in Kwara South and at the state level to call members to order and ensure that internal competition is conducted “within the party, not in the palace.”
Ekiti LGA has remained a key APC stronghold in Kwara South, but recent months have seen growing agitation among party youths and stakeholders over representation, empowerment, and inclusiveness.
Hon. Ganiu Abolarin Gabriel, who currently represents Ekiti Constituency in the 10th Kwara State House of Assembly, has faced criticism from different quarters over his legislative output and constituency engagement. His office has often highlighted “empowerment programmes” including distribution of clippers and other materials to artisans.
However, critics like Amb. Anjorin argue that such interventions fall short of the expectations of a constituency that is politically strategic and populated by a vibrant youth base.
Political observers in Ekiti note that Amb. Anjorin’s statement is a clear signal of early 2027 positioning within the APC. With names like Hon. Jagunlabi or Hon. Dare Bankole now being projected, the contest for the Ekiti Assembly seat is expected to become one of the most keenly watched in the next electoral cycle.
A senior APC chieftain in the LGA, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Veritas News Hub: “This is politics. Everyone is testing the waters. But the point about keeping our traditional rulers out of it is very valid. We must protect our institutions.”
Efforts to reach Hon. Ganiu Abolarin Gabriel for a reaction at the time of filing this report were unsuccessful.
As the APC begins to consolidate ahead of 2027, the Ekiti Constituency race is shaping up to be a test of generational change versus incumbency. With Amb. Anjorin positioning himself as a voice for reform and throwing his weight behind younger aspirants, the internal contest may redefine APC’s fortunes in the area.
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