President Bola Tinubu has described Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji as a hardworking and result-oriented leader whose performance in office in the last four years has earned him the admiration and support of leaders across political divides.
President Tinubu, who was represented by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, stated that Oyebanji has demonstrated to the people that he came solidly prepared for leadership with his excellent performance that had an impact on the people, urged the electorate to re-elect him in the Saturday governorship poll.
Tinubu spoke in Ado- Ekiti at the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s grand finale mega rally held on Tuesday in support of Governor Oyebanji’s re-election at the Ekitiparapo pavilion in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital.
He commended 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 noted that the several projects he had commissioned during his recent visit to the state stand as evidence of Oyebanji’s commitment to the development of Ekiti state.
According to him,”You have a very hardworking Governor. All former governors are here to support him.
“I have commissioned several projects in Ekiti and these are testament to his commitment to developing Ekiti State”.
The President who led 18 APC governors, 24 Senator to the rally stated that the Oyebanji has exhibited through his 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 lead 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 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 had served you well. His being in good terms with all the oast 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 inclusivity spirit. On Saturday, go out and reelect this humble and peaceful man to further serve you better”.
In a symbolic fashion, Tinubu at the occasion handed over the APC flagbearer to all the past governors and first ladies and tasked them to work assiduously and deliver victory for him in the election.
Also speaking , the Senate President, Senator 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, 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 APC National Campaign Council Chairman and Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, was upbeat that victory is sure in the poll, describing Oyebanji’s popularity as electrifying and command high regards 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, the Chairman of the APC Governor Forum/Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, said all the governors on the platform of the party are solidarising with Oyebanji, saying the organic support he is getting across the strata of the state attested 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 attested 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.
Expressing confidence that victory is sure for APC, the National Chairman of the party, Prof Yilwadta, 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 road, take a bow and take your votes. You gave out 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 yours votes. All your people are speaking and defending you. You are winning this election”.
Responding , Governor Oyebanji, said he wasn’t banking on the federal might to triumph in the poll, but on his superlative performance and for keeping fidelity with electioneering promises and social contract he signed with Ekiti people in 2022.
Oyebanji urged the populace to be peaceful on election day, stressing that he has done marvelously 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 half years.
A former Governor of the State, Ayodele Fayose,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 being. 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: Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, APC National Chairman , Prof Nentawe Yilwadta, Governor of Edo state, Senator Monday Okpebholo; Kogi, Usman Ododo; Ogun, Dapo Abiodun; Imo, Hope Uzodima; Borno, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum; Nasarawa, Engineer Abdullahi Sule; Yobe, Hon. (Dr.) Mai Mala Buni; Bayelsa, Governor Duoye Diri; Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa and Lagos, Babajide Sanwoolu.
The list included: Former governor of Osun state, Gboyega Oyetola, Former governor Niyi Adebayo, former Governor Kayode Fayemi, ex-Governor Segun Oni, former Governor or Ayodele Fayose, former Ekiti First Lady, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, Senator Dayo Adeyeye, National Secretary of APC. Senator Bashiru Ajibola, Senator representing Ogun West, Olamilekan Adeola, Senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, Minister of Solid minerals, Mr Dele Alake; Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Senator Cyril Fasuyi, among others.
