Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, on Monday declared that his sterling performance in the areas of infrastructure development, human capital development, agriculture, peacebuilding, and prudent management of resources are clear evidence of his fidelity to electioneering promises, making him worthy of being entrusted with the people’s mandate for a second term in office.
Governor Oyebanji, who preached against bloodshed and violence in the impending governorship election, said he has fulfilled the social contract he signed with the citizens in 2022, which amplifies his propensity to make promises and fulfil them.
Oyebanji spoke in Oye and Ikole Ekiti on Monday at the commencement of his re-election campaign across the 16 local government areas of the state ahead of the June 20 governorship poll.
Brimming with love and solidarity, the venues of the campaign in the two local governments were filled to capacity, as residents trooped out enthusiastically, singing songs that expressed their willingness to vote for the governor for a second term.
Scores of opposition members defected to the ruling APC at the political events.
The campaign officially kicked off last Monday in Ado Ekiti with a mega rally attended by six governors, led by the Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, and the National Chairman of the party, Prof Nentawe Yilwadta.
In his message to his supporters, who were adorned in Ankara bearing the governor’s portrait, Oyebanji described the coming election as a “war of votes” and not that of “guns and cutlasses,” branding other contestants as eligible sons of the state who can vie for the governorship seat.
Specifically, Oyebanji said Ikole Local Government has no reason not to reward his generosity of spirit with bountiful votes, being the council with the highest number of representatives in the State Executive Council and considering the impact of the administration in the area.
“When we came to you in 2022, we promised you infrastructure, we have delivered; we promised you roads, we have delivered. We promised you electricity, we delivered; even in health facilities and schools, we have delivered. We promised financial support for market women, we have delivered.
“Above all, we promised security, we have delivered. You knew what we had in terms of security in these councils four years ago. With the help of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the state government, we have overcome this challenge. Ekiti is now rated as the most peaceful state in Nigeria.
“Most especially, you all knew how the Itapaji-Irele-Ipao-Oke Ako corridor was in terms of security. We have been able to restore peace. If we have a government that is doing well, is it not good for it to continue?
“Most advanced countries of the world were built by continuity of government and alignment of vision. What echoes around Ekiti today is that the BAO solution is working. If you say we have done well, then let the good work continue.
“Already, we have won this election. But it goes beyond winning. Let all those who have PVCs come out and vote for APC on election day. Go home and activate your unit canvassers. Let us preach the gospel of BAO to our people.
“We want to give the opposition 16–0 by winning in all the 16 local governments, and we want to win all the 177 wards. Winning 177 wards is a record that has never been broken before. We want to set this record in this election.”
Oyebanji stated that Ekiti cannot afford to be complacent in this governorship election because of the 2027 presidential election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying other geopolitical zones are expecting the turnout of votes from the Southwest in the election. “So, we must meet our target of 500,000 votes on June 20 and increase it to 700,000 for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in January 2027,” he added.
Exuding confidence that Oyebanji will triumph with a high tally of votes across the 16 local governments, the State Chairman of the APC, Barr. Sola Elesin, said he was elated that the governor has not disappointed in the areas of performance, peacebuilding, humility, and prudent management of resources.
“What we recorded then in 2022 was a little above 200,000; our target now is 500,000. Please, let us work hard to achieve this on June 20. We can only achieve it if we troop out massively, unit by unit, on election day and vote for APC. The second term will be better than this first term, we assure you.”
Speaking for the Ikole Council, the first civilian deputy governor of the state, Chief Paul Alabi, assured that the council will return the highest number of votes in the impending poll to demonstrate support for the governor, urging the electorate not to waste their votes on the opposition.
Alabi, a respected community leader and politician, added that stakeholders, including teachers, the traditional council, traders, okada riders, widows, youths, community, and religious groups, are solidly behind the governor owing to his generosity in terms of appointments and infrastructural development.
A youth leader, Mr. Semiu Jimoh, said Oye Local Government will vote for the governor to appreciate the renovation of general hospitals, construction of the Itapa-Omu-Ijelu road, human capital development through youth in agriculture, renovation of schools, among other projects initiated in the council.
According to the timetable released by the Campaign Council, the local government tour will end on May 13.
