Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has declared that his administration’s performance justifies a second term as he officially flagged off his re-election campaign ahead of the June 20 governorship election.
Speaking in Oye and Ikole Ekiti Local Government Areas on Monday, the governor highlighted achievements in infrastructure, human capital development, agriculture, peace building, and prudent resource management as evidence of his commitment to campaign promises made in 2022.
He urged supporters to maintain peaceful conduct, describing the election as a “war of votes” and not one of “guns and cutlasses,” while acknowledging other contestants as eligible sons of the state.
Oyebanji said his administration has fulfilled its social contract with the people, pointing to improvements in roads, electricity, healthcare, education, and financial support for market women.
“When we came to you in 2022, we promised you infrastructure, we have delivered, we promised you road, we have delivered. We promised you electricity, we delivered, even in health facilities and schools, we have delivered. We promised financial support for market women; we have delivered.
“Above all, we promised security; we have delivered. You knew what we had in terms of security in this councils four years ago. With the help of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the state government, we have overcome this challenge. Ekiti is now rated as the most peaceful state in Nigeria,” he said.
He also cited restored peace in previously troubled areas, including the Itapaji-Irele-Ipao-Oke Ako corridor, as a major achievement of his administration.
Calling for continuity, Oyebanji said sustained development depends on consistent leadership and alignment of vision. “Most advanced countries of the world were built by continuity of government and alignment of vision. What echoes round in Ekiti today is that, BAO solution is working. If you say we have done well, then let the good works continue,” he added.
Setting ambitious targets, the governor urged party members to mobilise voters across all polling units. “We want to give the opposition 16-0 by winning in all the 16 local governments and we want to win all the 177 wards. Winning 177 wards is a record that has never been broken before. We want to set this record in this election.”
He also linked the state election to broader political expectations ahead of the 2027 presidential poll. “So, we must meet our target of 500,000 votes in June 20 and increase it to 700,000 for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in January 2027,” Oyebanji said.
The campaign, which began last week in Ado Ekiti, featured a mega rally attended by six governors, led by APC Governors’ Forum Chairman and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, alongside the party’s National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwadta.
Ekiti APC Chairman, Sola Elesin, commended the governor’s performance, describing his leadership as defined by peace building, humility, and prudent management of resources. He urged party supporters to surpass the 2022 vote count of just over 200,000 by targeting 500,000 votes.
“We can only achieve it if we troop out massively unit by unit on election day and vote for APC. The second term will be better than this first term, we assure you,” Elesin said.
Also speaking, former Deputy Governor, Paul Alabi, assured that Ikole Local Government would deliver the highest number of votes in support of Oyebanji’s re-election bid.
A youth leader, Semiu Jimoh, said residents of Oye Local Government would back the governor in appreciation of projects such as hospital renovations, road construction, youth-focused agricultural initiatives, and school rehabilitation.
With campaigns now underway across all 16 local government areas, Oyebanji’s re-election bid is gaining momentum as the June 20 poll approaches.
