Ekiti gov: APC leaders back Oyebanji’s re-election bid victory

The All Progressives Congress National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, declared on Monday that Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has won ahead of the June 20 governorship election in the state.

He spoke in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, during the flag-off of the APC governorship campaign for Oyebanji’s second term bid.

Oyebanji and his deputy, Mrs Monisade Afuye, are seeking re-election in the June election on the platform of the APC.

The event was attended by Governors Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Usman Ododo (Kogi), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo) and Mohammed Bago (Niger).

Former governors of Ekiti State — Adeniyi Adebayo, Ayodele Fayose, Segun Oni and Kayode Fayemi — and former deputy governors, Biodun Olujimi and Abiodun Aluko, were also present.

Also in attendance were the APC National Vice Chairman (South-West), Isaac Kekemeke; Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele; APC National Secretary, Ajibola Bashiru; National Assembly Ekiti caucus members and Ekiti State House of Assembly members.

Yilwatda stated that the APC in Ekiti State had a strong candidate acceptable to the people of the state and the party, noting that the party would win at all levels in the election.

The APC chairman told the governor, “Take a bow because you have won already. The election is won ahead of time. We will win from ward to ward, village to village and local government to local government.”

Also speaking, Uzodimma, who is also the chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, said Oyebanji had ensured a renewed Ekiti State in three and a half years.

Uzodimma said, “We want to assure you that Governor Oyebanji will not disappoint. A vote for Oyebanji is a vote for President Bola Tinubu, who is seeking re-election in January 2027.”

In their remarks, Adebayo, Fayose, Oni and Fayemi urged Ekiti people to vote for Oyebanji in view of his achievements and qualities.

Fayemi described Oyebanji as a “child of destiny,” while Fayose said his presence, despite being a PDP chieftain, was for the Ekiti agenda, which he said the governor represented.

In his remarks, Bamidele, who is the Chairman (local) of the Biodun Oyebanji Campaign Organisation, hailed the governor for building bridges across all political strata in the state and uniting the people.

Bamidele said, “The reason we are here gathered celebrating Governor Oyebanji is that we are convinced that, in the last three and a half years, we have had a round peg in a round hole.

“The fact is that he believes in humanity. He believes in unity and has been able to unite the Ekiti people. He is a bridge builder.”

The Senate Leader promised that the party’s campaign would be issue-based.

“We will be showcasing what Oyebanji has done within three and a half years and what he will do in another four years,” he said.

Speaking, Oyebanji assured Ekiti people of a better deal in another four years.

He hinged his strides in the last three and a half years on Tinubu’s support.

He urged party members and residents to mobilise massively for the election in a bid to secure the targeted minimum of 500,000 votes for the APC.

Oyebanji said, “We were here three and a half years ago to sign a contract with you, and with the help of God and the support of the President, we have been able to implement most of that contract.

“After God, the glory goes to President Tinubu, who has been supportive of the state. You are all living witnesses that in 29 years of its creation, no President has been as fair to Ekiti.

“The only way we can show appreciation to Mr President is through our votes. We are going to test it on June 20, and the minimum is 500,000 votes,” Oyebanji said.

The Governor of Kaduna State, who is the National Chairman of the APC Governorship Campaign for Ekiti State, Uba Sani, described Oyebanji as one of the best governors in Nigeria.

“We are proud of him,” he said.

Sani hailed Oyebanji for living up to his electoral promises and delivering good governance in the last three and a half years.

He said, “This election is about consolidation. It is about building on foundations,” urging all eligible voters in Ekiti State to vote for “continuity, stability and progress.”

Speaking earlier upon his arrival at the Ekiti airport, Sani said the election being held on June 20 would serve as a critical political barometer for the APC ahead of the 2027 general election.

Sani said, “The outcome of the Ekiti State governorship election will reflect the strength and acceptability of the ruling party’s leadership under President Bola Tinubu.”

He expressed confidence that Oyebanji had already earned victory ahead of the June 20 governorship election through his performance and people-oriented policies and programmes.

He described Oyebanji as a committed leader who had demonstrated capacity, humility and inclusiveness in governance, adding that his achievements in key sectors had translated into visible development and widespread acceptance among Ekiti people.

The Kaduna governor said Oyebanji’s record of performance in infrastructure, education, youth empowerment and human capital development would translate into a decisive mandate at the poll scheduled for June 2026.

He said, “My dear brother, Governor Oyebanji, has done extremely well, and for me, I am just here to support what he has done, and I have no doubt in my mind that the Ekiti people have seen everything.

“In education, he has done extremely well. Looking at infrastructure, socio-economic empowerment of youths, we have seen what he has done. He has done very well, and I do not doubt that the people of Ekiti will support him for continuity, which is very important. This election is just a formality.”

Thirteen political parties are participating in the Ekiti governorship election.