President Bola Tinubu has praised Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji for having successfully demonstrated to the people of the state that he came solidly prepared for leadership that benefits the citizens through his excellent performance, appealing to the voters to re-elect him in Saturday’s governorship poll.
At a mega rally by the All Progressives Congress (APC), staged in support of Oyebanji’s re-election held at the Ekitiparapo Pavilion in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, on Tuesday, the President, who was represented by his deputy, Senator Kashim Shettima, applauded Ekiti citizens for standing firmly by the party through its political trajectory, pointing out that the state is blessed and fortunate to have a leader like Oyebanji at this auspicious time.
The 12,000-capacity venue for the rally was filled to capacity, as party faithful and political allies from other parties stormed the arena to show solidarity with Oyebanji.
President Tinubu stated that the governor had, through actions, policy formulation and execution, demonstrated that leadership is truly about the people and not about oppressing the poor or subverting their rights.
He said: ‘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 led 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 the 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 attests to the fact that he has served you well. His being on good terms with all the past 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 attests to his acceptability and inclusive spirit. On Saturday, go out and re-elect this humble and peaceful man to further serve you better’.
President Tinubu’s representative, Shettima, handed over Oyebanji to all the past governors and first ladies and tasked them to work assiduously and deliver victory for him in the election.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio described Oyebanji as a peaceful, humble and gender friendly governor, adding that his performance has resonated across every corner of the country, and 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, and 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’, Akpabio said.
Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, who is also the Chairman of the APC National Campaign Council, was upbeat that victory is sure in the poll, describing Oyebanji’s popularity as electrifying and command high regards among Ekiti citizens.
Sani said that the governor surpassed every other governor who had superintended over the state in the areas 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 so the dividends of democracy can continue unabated.
Also, Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, who is also the Chairman of the APC Governor Forum, said that 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 attests to his acceptability.
“In this election, only the APC is visible. It is the only party that has campaigned door to door 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 attest 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.
Exuding confidence that victory is assured for APC, the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Netwada Yilwadta said that the party is winning not because APC is the ruling party, but on the strength of the governor’s robust connection with the populace.
“Governor Oyebanji, you have done well. You constructed a road, take a bow and take your votes. You gave out a 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 your votes. All your people are speaking and defending you. You are winning this election’, he said.
The visibly elated Oyebanji, flanked by his wife, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji and his deputy, Monisade Afuye, said he that he was not 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 the people of the state in 2022.
Oyebanji urged the populace to be peaceful on election day, stressing that he has done marvellously 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 a half years.
A former governor of the state, Chief Ayodele Fayose, who is a and leader of the People’s Democratic Party, while speaking as an opposition leader, said that he decided to back Oyebanji because of his unification spirit, lauding his political ingenuity in being able to unite all warring political heavyweights in the state.
He urged Oyebanji to continue to be magnanimous in victory and keep uniting the people as he has always done. He said that Oyebanji woul 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 included the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin; Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo; his Kogi State counterpart, Alhjai Usman Ododo; Prince Dapo Abiodun (Ogun State); Senator Hope Uzodima (Imo); Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum (Borno); Engr. Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa); Hon. Mai Mala Buni (Yobe); Senator Duoye Diri (Bayelsa); Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo); and Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos).
Others included the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, who was a governor of Osun State; former Ekiti State Governors Niyi Adebayo, Kayode Fayemi and Segun Oni; former Ekiti State First Lady, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Senator Dayo Adeyeye; National Secretary of APC. Senator Bashiru Ajibola; Ogun State governorship candidate of the APC, Senator Olamilekan Adeola; Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele; Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake; Senator Yemi Adaramodu; and Senator Cyril Fasuyi.
