Yilwatda: I have confidence in Oyebanji’s capacity
Governors of All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday stormed Ado-Ekiti to mobilise support for Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, at the kick-off of his re-election campaign ahead of the June 20
- APC governors in Ekiti for re-election campaign kick-off
Governors of All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday stormed Ado-Ekiti to mobilise support for Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, at the kick-off of his re-election campaign ahead of the June 20 governorship election.
Among the governors present were the Chairman of Progressive Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Lucky Aiyedayiwa (Ondo), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Ahmed Ododo (Kogi), Umar Bago (Niger), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta) and the Chairman of the Campaign Council, Uba Sani (Kaduna).
The event, held at Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, witnessed a massive turnout of party members, leaders and supporters, with APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda and members of the National Working Committee gracing the ceremony.
There was heavy presence of security agencies, as operatives of Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and others were deployed to maintain order and ensure a hitch-free exercise.
APC supporters, adorned in colourful vests and traditional fez caps, thronged the pavilion, creating a carnival-like atmosphere.
Aspirants for House of Assembly and National Assembly seats were also not left out. They competed for visibility by flooding the venue with campaign flyers, posters and branded billboards bearing their images and slogans.
Addressing the mammoth crowd, Governor Uzodimma canvassed support for Oyebanji and his deputy, Mrs Monisade Afuye, saying his administration “is very impactful and deserving of another term.”
Uzodimma described the massive turnout as a demonstration of widespread acceptance of the governor’s leadership, urging voters to sustain the momentum at the polls.
He said Ekiti State had become a model of unity and political stability under Governor Oyebanji, noting that the prevailing harmony across the state was a product of purposeful and inclusive leadership.
He enjoined Ekiti people not to allow the progress and giant strides recorded to be derailed, stressing that continuity remained essential to sustaining the gains achieved so far.
Uzodimma expressed confidence that the governor would emerge victorious in the June 20 governorship poll, saying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had given progressives governors the mandate to deliver Ekiti for APC.
Governor Sani said the convergence of APC governors and leaders from across the country in Ekiti underscored the party’s collective resolve to secure victory in Ekiti.
He said Oyebanji had set a benchmark in governance, adding that his achievements in education, health, infrastructure, education and social development made him deserving of another mandate.
The Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, said the massive turnout of party leaders and supporters was an indication of the confidence reposed in Governor Oyebanji’s administration.
He noted that Governor Oyebanji had demonstrated purposeful leadership and inclusive governance, urging Ekiti voters to reward performance by re-electing him.
Prof. Yilwatda described the rally as a show of unity and strength within the party, stressing that APC remained the most organised political platform in the country.
He commended Oyebanji for aligning with the party’s progressive ideals and delivering on the six strategic pillars of his administration, assuring members that the party national leadership would continue to support his re-election bid.
He expressed confidence in Oyebanji’s capacity to deliver more dividends of democracy, describing him as a leader who had prioritised the well-being and collective interest of the people.
He said the governor would not disappoint if re-elected, adding that his administration had laid a solid foundation for accelerated development across critical sectors.
Ex-governor Ayodele Fayose lauded Oyebanji for sustaining peace and stability in the state, noting that continuity in governance would further accelerate development.
He urged the electorate to remain steadfast in their support for the APC, describing the forthcoming election as an opportunity to deepen the gains already recorded.
Former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, commended the governor for his unprecedented achievement in the last three and a half years, saying his decision to anoint him as the preferred candidate in 2022 was apt and thoughtful.
Fayemi, who described himself as the “John the Baptist of continuity” in the state, noted that Governor Oyebanji had not disappointed him, the people of Ekiti or the All Progressives Congress.
He, however, urged party members not to be complacent, calling for sustained mobilisation and grassroots engagement to ensure a landslide victory in the June 20 governorship election.
Fayose said his presence at the event was a statement of his support for the Ekiti agenda being championed by Oyebanji.
He described the governor as the face of the collective interest of the state, urging the people to prioritise Ekiti’s development above partisan considerations.
“My presence here speaks for itself. I remain a committed member of the PDP and have no intention of joining the APC, but I stand firmly for the Ekiti agenda, which Governor Oyebanji currently represents.
“Ordinarily, I should be in the opposition in this state, but that opposition will take shape after the governorship election. For now, all former governors are united in support of Oyebanji”, he added.
Governor Oyebanji appreciated the show of support and reaffirmed his administration’s unalloyed commitment to deliver more dividends of democracy, pledging not to relent in efforts to advance development across the state.
He said his administration had fulfilled its social contract with the people of the state, attributing the achievements recorded in the last three and a half years to the support of President Tinubu.
Oyebanji noted that his government had made significant progress across key sectors, noting that the backing of the President had been instrumental to the delivery of critical infrastructure projects in the state.
The governor added that no President in the 29-year history of Ekiti State had shown as much commitment to the development of the state as Tinubu, citing the completion of the Ado-Akure Road as a major milestone.
He added that construction work was ongoing on the Ado-Ijan-Ikare Road, while contractors had been mobilised to the Itawure-Aramoko-Igede-Ado Road.
Oyebanji disclosed that approval had been granted for the rebuilding of Aramoko-Ijero-Ido-Ifaki-Ikole Road, expressing optimism that the projects would further enhance connectivity and economic activities across the state.
He maintained that the successes recorded by his administration were made possible through support received from President Tinubu, assuring the people of Ekiti that his government would continue to prioritise development and deliver more dividends of democracy if re-elected.
Dignitaries present at the campaign rally were the party’s National Secretary, Dr. Ajibola Basiru, ex-governors, Segun Oni, Niyi Adebayo, Ayodele Fayose, Senator Biodun Olujimi, former deputy governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, Isaac Kekemeke, Wumi Ogunlola.
Other include Ekiti State Speaker, Adeoye Aribasoye, Amb. Eniola Ajayi, Senator Ayo Arise, Bimbo Daramola, 26 members of the House of Assembly and nine members of the National Assembly, among other leaders of the party.
