Tinubu asks Ekiti to support Oyebanji's re-election

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday called on the people of Ekiti State to re-elect Governor Biodun Oyebanji in the governorship election scheduled for Saturday.

Tinubu praised the people for their loyalty to the party over the years. He said Ekiti is lucky to have a leader like Oyebanji now.

The President spoke through Vice President Kashim Shettima during a large rally that wrapped up the All Progressives Congress governorship campaign. He mentioned that Oyebanji has shown the Ekiti people that he is ready to lead and has worked hard for the citizens through his good performance.

At the rally, Tinubu introduced Oyebanji to former governors and first ladies. He asked them to work hard to ensure he wins the election.

The rally saw 18 governors, 24 senators, and members of the House of Representatives show support. Key figures present included Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin; APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda; and Governors Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Usman Ododo (Kogi), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), and Hope Uzodimma (Imo).

Others present were Prof. Babagana Zulum (Borno), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), and Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos).

Tinubu stated, "Governor Oyebanji is a man who understands the details of leadership. He knows that as a leader, you must connect with farmers, traders, students, and even the less privileged."

He added, "He has shown humility and patience in leadership. He came prepared for governance and has respected leaders and traditional rulers. I am pleased that he has focused governance on the people."

Tinubu mentioned his recent visit to Ekiti to open some projects. He saw one of the longest flyovers in the country, which proves that Oyebanji has done well for the people. He also noted Oyebanji's good relationships with former governors and political leaders, showing how effective his leadership has been.

"I have gone around, and I didn’t see the posters of any opposition candidate. This shows how accepted he is and his spirit of inclusion. On Saturday, go out and re-elect this humble and peaceful man to keep serving you better," he urged.

Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, called Oyebanji a humble and gender-friendly governor. He said Oyebanji's work has reached every part of the state. He praised the governor's ability to unite people and said his skills surpass those of other governors.

Akpabio urged Ekiti residents, "On Saturday, don’t stay at home. Go out and vote for him, and next year, vote for President Tinubu. May God bless you as you vote for him and support our party."

Senator Uba Sani, who chairs the APC National Campaign Council and is the Governor of Kaduna State, expressed confidence that they would win the election. He described Oyebanji’s popularity as strong and said he is highly respected by Ekiti citizens.

Sani stated that Oyebanji has outperformed all previous governors in areas like education, workers’ welfare, transportation, human capital development, and road construction. He encouraged the people to increase their votes for him so that they can continue to enjoy democracy.

Hope Uzodimma, the Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, said all the governors in the party are united in support of Oyebanji. He added that the support he enjoys across Ekiti shows how accepted he is.

APC National Chairman, Yilwatda, noted that the party is winning because of Oyebanji’s strong connection with the people. He said, "Governor Oyebanji, you have done well. You built roads, take a bow and take your votes. You gave scholarships, take a bow and take your votes. You constructed hospitals and other projects; take a bow and take your votes. On Saturday, just wake up, take your bow and take your votes."

Reacting, a happy Oyebanji, with his wife, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, and Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye by his side, said he is relying on his good performance and the promises he made to the Ekiti people in 2022.

Oyebanji asked voters to stay peaceful on election day. He emphasized that he has served the state well and deserves a second term. He promised that his next term would be even more successful than his first three and a half years.

A former governor and Peoples Democratic Party leader, Ayodele Fayose, said he supports Oyebanji because of his ability to unite people. He praised Oyebanji’s skill in bringing together different political leaders in Ekiti.

Fayose encouraged Oyebanji to remain generous in victory and continue uniting the people of Ekiti. He expressed confidence that Oyebanji would make history as the first Ekiti governor to win re-election consecutively.