LG workers, religious groups back Oyebanji with massive votes pledge

Workers in Ekiti State Local Government Service, on Monday, reaffirmed their commitment to mobilise the electorate and deliver no fewer than 200,000 votes for Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress in Saturday’s governorship election.

The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees said its members would mobilise themselves and members of their households to vote massively for the governor’s re-election.

Also on Monday, members of the Celestial Church of Christ and Muslim women under the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria pledged to mobilise voters in support of the governor on election day.

The local government workers spoke on Monday at the grand finale of the Ekiti State Local Government Mega Rally in support of the governor’s re-election.

NULGE members, led by their National President, Aliyu Kankara, described Oyebanji as a visionary leader who is well-prepared for the office he occupies.

The National President, who was represented by the Vice President (South-West), Rufus Babalola, said he was pleased to identify with the governor’s achievements across sectors within less than four years, particularly in the local government service.

Kankara also commended the governor for his commitment to local government development and for prioritising workers’ welfare.

Ekiti NULGE President, Mr Oluseyi Olatunde, praised the governor for “delivering the needed change which has repositioned local government administration in the state by ensuring a conducive working environment for workers.”

He added that the governor had restored pride and efficiency to local government administration, strengthening leadership and career progression.

Olatunde noted that “The appointment of six local government staff as Permanent Secretaries and others as Executive Secretaries has opened new frontiers of leadership and hope for members, demonstrating that competence and dedication are rewarded by his administration.”

Responding, Oyebanji thanked local government staff from the 16 local government areas for their support and reaffirmed their commitment to his administration’s re-election bid.

He said he accepted the honour of grand patron of NULGE in Ekiti State and commended workers for their dedication to service delivery.

Oyebanji said, “You know one thing is that whatever might have been our achievements in the last three years and seven months, you know you can do more because the problems we have solved in the local government during our first term, we are not coming back to those problems in our second term; we will do more.

“Let me, on behalf of myself, my darling wife, and the government that we are leading, express my profound appreciation to NULGE. From day one, when you made up your mind that you were going to support us, you have never wavered.

“I’m extremely grateful to you, and it’s not that we have done everything for you, but you see the sincerity in our hearts, you see how committed we are to serving our people, and you are ready to make adjustments.

“I listened to the NULGE president very well, and he said something that is my summary of why we are here today: he said local government workers are ready to deliver on Saturday. That is my takeaway, and as he has said it, everyone has heard, and so shall it be.

“Let me say this: everything we have achieved in the last close to four years, after God Almighty, the glory goes to Mr President, who has provided the enabling environment and the resources for all the subnational,” he said.

At a solidarity crusade to intercede and seek spiritual backing for a resounding victory for the governor and his deputy, Mrs Monisade Afuye, who is a member of the church, the CCC Spiritual Leader (Worldwide), Most Superior Evangelist Samuel Oshoffa, praised Oyebanji for promoting religious harmony in Ekiti State and ensuring that all religious groups operate without intimidation.

Oshoffa, whose message was delivered by a senior CCC member, Obafemi Adewale (SAN), according to a statement by the Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor on Media, Victor Ogunje, in Ado Ekiti, on Monday, said, “Governor Oyebanji merits the support being exhibited by all strata of Ekiti society for his administration, having governed the populace with inclusivity and a peaceful disposition.”

Adewale, a former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, said Oyebanji had proven to be a leader worthy of continued support.

He said, “CCC is happy that Governor Oyebanji has proven to be a peace-maker and development-driven leader. In the last three and a half years, Ekiti State has moved from a high to a higher position.

“There has never been any misunderstanding between him and his deputy. They have worked together harmoniously, and we appreciate this leadership. I pray for your success in this coming election.”

The church leader in Ekiti State and Assistant Most Superior Evangelist, Abraham Aladeseye, also commended Oyebanji for promoting peace and development, noting that having a deputy governor from the CCC had strengthened the church’s support for his administration.

Aladeseye said the church’s decision to rally support for Oyebanji was also a gesture of solidarity with Mrs Afuye, adding, “In the whole of Nigeria, it is only in Ekiti State that we have a member of CCC as deputy governor, so we are not taking this for granted.

“We will continue to pray for the success of this government. We supported them in the first term, and so shall it be in the second term.”

In a related development, Muslim women across the 16 local government areas under FOMWAN also pledged massive support for Oyebanji, saying his administration had improved their welfare through inclusive governance and people-oriented policies.

The women gave the assurance on Sunday during an engagement with the governor at the Government House, Ado Ekiti, where they commended him for his commitment to the welfare of Muslim women and religious harmony in the state.

The Amira of FOMWAN in Ekiti State, Alhaja Aisat Jimoh, said Oyebanji’s leadership had strengthened confidence among Muslims and increased their participation in governance, adding that Oyebanji was the first governor in the state to appoint over 50 Muslims into his cabinet.

Jimoh praised the governor for fostering unity among religious groups and creating an enabling environment for peace and development in the state, noting that Muslim women had resolved to mobilise for his re-election.

In her remarks, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Habibat Adubiaro, also a member of FOMWAN, expressed appreciation to the governor for his inclusive leadership and opportunities extended to Muslim faithful.