Oyebanji cautions opposition against fake news, urges peace

By Boye Oyeyemi

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has warned opposition parties against spreading false information to gain political advantage ahead of the June 20 governorship election.

The governor said the circulation of fake reports was capable of creating unnecessary tension and misleading residents, describing the trend as an attempt to attract public sympathy through blackmail.

Oyebanji, who spoke in Ado Ekiti with artisans, urged political actors and residents to maintain peace throughout the election period, stressing that anyone seeking to serve the people should not resort to actions capable of destabilising the state.

The governor particularly condemned reports alleging that a commercial bus was hijacked and its passengers abducted in Ekiti, describing the claim as false and irresponsible.

According to him, individuals who deliberately spread such misinformation do not have the interest of the people at heart and should not use falsehood as a campaign strategy.

Oyebanji also disclosed that his administration had concluded plans to provide financial support to 2,000 women to boost small-scale businesses and promote economic inclusion. He advised traders to form cooperative societies to improve their access to loans from financial institutions and government intervention programmes.

Leaders of the artisans and private sector groups, Ebenezer Babatunde and Abiodun Gbenga, pledged their support for the governor’s re-election bid, citing his achievements in infrastructure, healthcare, education, empowerment programmes and support for small businesses.

They expressed confidence in his leadership and vowed to mobilise support for him across the state’s 177 wards.