Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, on Sunday, thanked people of the state for re-electing him a second time during Saturday’s governorship election in the state, promising to work harder and serve them better in his second term.
Oyebanji also said that his election is a validation and general acceptance of the economic policies and reforms of the President Bola Tinubu administration, which freed resources for sub-nationals to deliver on their promises to the electorate.
In his acceptance speech on Sunday at the Government House, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, a few hours after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced him the winner of the governorship election, the governor said: ‘There is no doubt that this is an unprecedented electoral outcome in the history of our state, and indeed Nigeria. You have spoken loudly and unequivocally and I have heard you clearly.
‘We have heard your voice. We have accepted the challenge which this unity mandate has thrown upon us. Your electoral preference for us is truly humbling, and we do not take it for granted.
‘I can only assure you that the best has just begun. We will rededicate ourselves even more strongly to implementing our shared prosperity agenda. We will work harder and smarter to serve you better’, he added.
Oyebanji maintained that the President’s reforms, which freed resources to sub-nationals, provided the platform for his government to attend to the yearnings of the citizens, adding that the increased federal allocations to the states empowered his government to fund key projects and social programmes, which had greatly impacted the lives of the citizens.
The governor used the opportunity to further commend President Tinubu for his foresight in assenting to the amended electoral law, which, according to him, has brought about a seamless outcome of the election, adding that the amended law is a direct improvement in the electoral climate and the legal framework previously known to the country.
Oyebanji commended residents of the state for their renewed confidence in him, as expressed through the fresh mandate given to him. He promised to rejig his efforts on the poverty alleviation programmes of his administration to make life better for the people, irrespective of their status in society.
He disclosed that he has extended an olive branch to the People’s Democratic Party candidate, Dr Wole Oluyede, and his African Democratic Congress counterpart, Ambassador Dare Bejide, by personally calling them, and he hopes to visit them later to discuss how they can join hands with him to move the state forward.
The governor, who hailed the voters for his huge volume of votes totaling 319,224, winning in all the 177 wards and in almost all the 2,245 units, and in the 16 Local Government Areas of the state, added that ‘there’s no doubt that this is an unprecedented electoral outcome in the history of our dear state and indeed Nigeria, for a party to have won in all the wards in a particular state, I’m not sure it has happened in the history of this country.
‘It is not just a watershed, it is a remarkable shift in the political culture of Ekiti people, unlike the previous electoral cycles which were marked with disturbing violence and apprehensions, the election has come and gone without a single violent incident, with this, it has taken a new course and it’s the dawn of a new era where consensus building, peace and harmony has become the trading currency of our political engagement.
‘I want to specially thank the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his fatherly support. This victory is a validation of his administration and a vote of confidence in him by Ekiti people. I have no doubt that a better outcome will be replicated in the January 2027 Presidential election. I want to commend him for the foresight that has led to improved electoral practices and procedures through the amended electoral law.
‘The seamless outcome of this election is a direct result of the improvements in the electoral climate and the legal framework.
‘I am grateful to my brother-governors across Nigeria, especially the Progressive Governors’ Forum under the leadership of the Governor of Imo State, Sen. Hope Uzodima, for their support and encouragement’.
