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From Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has officially kicked off the re-election campaign of the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji and his deputy, Monisade Afuye, ahead of the June 20 governorship election in the state.
The APC National Chairman stated that the June poll is a done deal for the party, anchoring his confidence on Governor Oyebanji’s achievements since coming on board in 2022.
Yilwatda made the remarks on Monday at the Ekiti State APC/BAO 2026 Governorship Campaign Flag-Off held in Ado-Ekiti, the capital of the state.
Commending the governor’s achievements, Yilwatda said, ” For bringing all the people of the state together, I want you, Mr Governor, to take a bow. For bringing people of different ethnic groups in Ekiti, like Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Ebira, Urhobo and other ethnic nationalities and ensuring unity in your state, please take a bow.
“For building roads, bridges, hospitals, health centres, schools and other major infrastructures across the state, take a bow. In fact, BAO (Oyebanji) supports agriculture, and his support for agriculture makes it more easy for Ekiti people to be pounding yam and eating pounded yam and this has guaranteed food security, take a bow.
“Ekiti is one of the most secure states in Nigeria. BAO works very hard to ensure the security of lives and property. Take a bow. On behalf of the National Working Committee and APC members nationwide, we stand with you today to say that this election is already won.”
The Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF), a body of governors elected on the platform of the party led by Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma and the National Campaign Council led by Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, also hailed Governor Oyebanji for his achievements in less than four years in office.
All former Ekiti State governors, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Chief Ayodele Fayose, Chief Segun Oni and Dr Kayode Fayemi also threw their weight behind the re-election of Governor Oyebanji, urging the people of the state to massively cast their votes for him and his Deputy, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, for the good works to continue.
In his remarks, the Chairman of APC Governors’ Forum, Governor Hope Uzodinma, said the fact that the then-fragmented Ekiti is now solidly united was sufficient for Oyebanji to be reelected, assuring that the governor won’t disappoint in terms of delivery and display of humility.
“If you vote for Governor Oyebanji, you have voted for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He is addressing the crises of food insecurity, infrastructure deficit, unemployment, insecurity and others. Vote for him, he won’t let you down”.
The Kaduna State Governor and Chairman, APC National Campaign Committee for Ekiti election, Senator Uba Sani, was upbeat that the party will triumph in the governorship poll on the strength of Oyebanji’s exhilarating performance and acceptability across the board.
” This is the time to move forward, not to move backwards. Vote for continuity, vote for prosperity, vote for stability and development. Let your vote resonate round the country. We will engage every community, every individual, listen to them and mobilise for victory.”
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Governor Oyebanji, in his speech, told the cheering crowd that he had fulfilled the social contract he signed with the people in 2022. He praised President Bola Tinubu for exhibiting a special interest in the development of the state and its people.
“We were here in 2022 to sign a contract with you. We thank God that we have been able to fulfil all these contracts. But all these were made possible because President Tinubu takes a special interest in this state.
“In the 29 years of Ekiti creation, no President has been fair to Ekiti like President Tinubu. He reconstructed Ado-Akure road, Ado-Ifaki road and the notorious Ado-Aramoko road had been awarded for reconstruction among other projects.
“The way to repay him is to come out on June 20 and test the microphone by giving us here in Ekiti a minimum of 500,000 votes, so that the good jobs we are doing can continue.”
The Chairman of the 2026 Ekiti Campaign Council and the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, said Oyebanji has been able to make a remarkable difference in the lives of the people because he perfectly understands the language of development.
Bamidele, who aptly branded Oyebanji as a round peg in a round hole, assured the Ekiti populace that the election will be based on constructive and intellectual engagements, not one that will be replete with hate speeches and morbid politicking.
“We have been able to progress as a people because we have a governor who understands the language of development. A round peg in a round hole. We are proud of him. He is a unifier. A humble leader who can make us better if given the opportunity.”
Hon. Babade Kayode, Assistant Director General, BAO Campaign Organisation, Ekiti South, expressed that the June poll is winnable for the party.
“This is just evidence of what is going to happen. With our projection of 500,000 votes, we want to win all units, all wards, and so, I appeal to the electorate to vote for Governor Oyebanji in the coming election to achieve our projection.”
The National Stakeholder of Ekiti State, Engr. Michael Oluwagbemi said, “I am in Ekiti to support Governor Biodun Oyebanji, for the excellent work he has done in the last three and a half years and our desire to return him to office for another term.
“He is an excellent governor who has brought all parties together. Not only has he united the APC of which I am a founding member, he has also united us across party lines. So, I think with that kind of formidable front, victory is achievable on the election day.”
Also, Ojo Silvanus Foluso, a leading national supporter of President Bola Tinubu, said, “Each time I come to Ekiti, I hear what the people always say about the governor, and that is what we rely on. The people love him, and I think the June 20 poll is already a done deal.”
Other dignitaries at the event were: Ekiti State First Lady, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, National Vice Chairman of the APC, Southwest, Isaac Kekemeke, Governors of Ondo, Edo, Kogi, Delta and Niger States, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Monday Okpebholo, Usman Ododo, Sheriff Oborevwori and Mohammed Bago, respectively.
The list also included the Director General, Ekiti State Governorship Campaign Council, Senator Cyril Fasuyi, former Ekiti Governors, Kayode Fayemi, Ayo Fayose, Niyi Adebayo and Segun Oni, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Hon. Femi Bamisile, Senator Ayo Arise, Senator Dayo Adeyeye, Senator Biodun Olujimi, Hon Oyetunde Ojo, Hon. Henrich Akomolafe, members of the National and State Assemblies and other high-profile APC members.
