Oyebanji came well prepared, deserves another term, Tinubu tells Ekiti voters

…18 govs, 24 senators, others storm Ekiti for Oyebanji

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has praised Governor Biodun Oyebanji for having successfully demonstrated to Ekiti people that he came solidly prepared for leadership that benefits the citizens through his excellent performance, appealing to Ekiti voters to re-elect him in the June 20, 2026, Governorship poll.

President Tinubu spoke in Ado- Ekiti at the All Progressives Congress, APC’s mega rally staged in support of Governor Oyebanji’s re-election held at the Ekitiparapo pavilion in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State Capital, on Tuesday.

The 12,000 capacity Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, venue of the rally, was filled to the brim, as party faithful and political allies from other political parties stormed the arena to show solidarity with Governor Oyebanji, whose second-term ambition has garnered solid backing among political, religious and ethnic divides.

President Tinubu, represented by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, applauded Ekiti citizens for standing firmly by the party through its political trajectory, pointing out that Ekiti is blessed and fortunate to have a leader like Oyebanji at this auspicious time.

The President stated that the Governor had exhibited through actions and policy formulations, as well as execution, that leadership is truly about the people and not to oppress the poor or subvert their rights.

“Governor Oyebanji is a man who understands the nitty-gritty of leadership. He believes you have to be in good accord with the farmers, traders, students and even the downtrodden as a leader.

“He has carried himself with humility and led with patience. He came prepared for governance. He came as a. Governor and gave respect to leaders and traditional rulers. I am happy that He has kept the machinery of governance focused on the people.

“I came to Ekiti recently to commission some projects. I saw one of the longest flyovers in the country in Ekiti, which attested to the fact that he served you well. His being in good terms with all the past governors and political leaders showed how beneficial his leadership has been.

“I have gone round, I didn’t see the posters of any opposition standing. This attested to his acceptability and inclusive spirit. On Saturday, go out and re-elect this humble and peaceful man to further serve you better”, he said.

In a symbolic fashion, suggesting that the victory was already at sight, President Tinubu at the occasion handed over Oyebanji to all the past governors and first ladies, tasking them to work assiduously and deliver victory for him in the election.

In his contribution, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, described Oyebanji as a peaceful, humble and gender friendly governor, adding that his performance has resonated across every corner of the country, adding that his unification spirit and ingenuity surpassed that of his peers.

“I know you are all happy with your governor. Governor Oyebanji is trustworthy, he is a good performer and gender friendly. The market women, traders, traditional rulers, and students have all said so. He is the most parliamentary-friendly governor in Nigeria. On Saturday, don’t sit back at home. Go out and vote for him and by next year, you go out again and vote for President Tinubu. May God reward you as you vote for him and honour our party”.

The Chairman of the APC National Campaign Council and Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, was upbeat that victory is sure in the poll, describing Oyebanji’s popularity as electrifying and commanding high regard among Ekiti citizens.

Sani said the governor surpassed every other governor that had superintended over the state in the area of education, workers’ welfare, transportation, human capital development, and road construction, urging the people to raise the bar of votes for him in this election for the dividends of democracy to continue unabated.

Also, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, who is the Chairman of the APC Governor Forum/Imo State Governor, said all the governors on the platform of the party are solidarizing with Oyebanji, saying the organic support he is getting across the strata of the state attests to his acceptability.

“In this election, only the APC is visible. It is the only party that has campaigned market to market and house to house. No other party does this, and they shouldn’t blame anybody if they fail in this election. I have seen many things that attest to his popularity and performance. For the first time, we are seeing a flyover that is more than a kilometre. Please, go out and campaign for him”, he added.

Exuding confidence that victory is sure for APC, Nentawe Yilwatda, National Chairman of the party, said the party is winning not on the basis of APC being the ruling party, but on the pedestal of the governor’s robust connection to the populace.

“Governor Oyebanji, you have done well. You constructed a road, take a bow and take your votes. You gave out a scholarship, take a bow and take your votes. You have built hospitals and other monumental projects; take a bow and take your votes. On Saturday, you will only wake up, take your bow and take your votes. All your people are speaking and defending you. You are winning this election”.

The visibly elated Governor Oyebanji, flanked by his Wife, Olayemi Oyebanji and his Deputy, Monisade Afuye, said he wasn’t banking on the federal might to triumph in the poll, but on his superlative performance and for keeping fidelity with the electioneering promises and social contract he signed with the Ekiti people in 2022.

Governor Oyebanji urged the populace to be peaceful on election day, stressing that he has done marvellously well in his service to the state and deserves reelection. He assured the people that his second term will be more remarkable than what he has done in three and a half years.

Ayodele Fayose, former Governor of the State and Leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), while speaking as an opposition leader at the rally, said he decided to back Governor Oyebanji because of his unification spirit, lauding his political ingenuity in being able to unite all warring political heavyweights in the state.

Fayose urged Oyebanji to continue to be magnanimous in victory and keep uniting Ekiti people as he has always done. He said the Governor will attain a new record on Saturday as the first Governor of the State to win a re-election back-to-back.

Other high profile dignitaries at the event were: Barau Jibrin, Deputy Senate President; Nentawe Yilwatda, APC National Chairman; Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State; Governor Kogi, Usman Ododo of Kogi State; Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State; Governor Hope Uzodima of Imo State; Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State; Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State; Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State; Bayelsa, Governor Duoye Diri of Bayelsa State; Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State and Governor Babajide Sanwoolu of Lagos State.

The list included: former Governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola; former Governor of Ekiti State, Niyi Adebayo; former Governor of Ekiti, Kayode Fayemi; ex-Governor Segun Oni of Ekiti State; former Ekiti First Lady, Bisi Fayemi; Senator Dayo Adeyeye; National Secretary of APC, Bashiru Ajibola; Senator representing Ogun West, Olamilekan Adeola; Senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele; Minister of Solid minerals, Dele Alake; Yemi Adaramodu, Senator Cyril Fasuyi, among others.