Ekiti: Oyebanji suspends aide amid allegations of political thuggery involvement

Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has suspended one of his aides, Dayo Ibijowo—also known as Ijaya—after the aide was reportedly arrested with suspected thugs by police in the state.

Ibijowo, who works in the governor’s administration, was among eleven suspects taken into custody by the Rapid Response Squad in Ikun‑Ekiti on Thursday and later displayed by the police on Friday.

The Ekiti State Police Command said the suspects were allegedly recruited by a sitting member of the House of Representatives to disrupt the All Progressives Congress primary election for the House of Representatives scheduled for Saturday.

Following the incident, Governor Oyebanji ordered the aide’s immediate suspension while investigations into the allegations continue.

The decision was confirmed by the governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode, who said it reflects the administration’s firm stance against violence and criminal conduct.

Oyebode added that the suspended aide will remain out of office until security authorities finish their investigation into the alleged thuggery case.

He also noted that the governor had recently concluded a violence‑free campaign tour across the 16 local government areas of Ekiti State on Wednesday, during which he urged political actors and supporters to maintain peace before, during, and after the electioneering period.

Reiterating the governor’s position, Oyebode said Oyebanji has repeatedly called on residents and political stakeholders to keep calm, stressing that the state government will not tolerate any form of criminality or electoral violence.