Tinubu, Shettima, Akpabio drum support for Oyebanji ahead of Ekiti governorship election

By Boye Oyeyemi

Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and no fewer than 18 governors on Tuesday stormed Ado-Ekiti to canvass support for Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

The APC rally also attracted the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, members of the National Working Committee, over 50 federal lawmakers, and former Ekiti governors Adeniyi Adebayo, Ayodele Fayose, Kayode Fayemi and Segun Oni.

Representing President Bola Tinubu, Shettima described Oyebanji as a humble and visionary leader whose administration had delivered meaningful development across the state. He said the governor had justified the confidence reposed in him through inclusive governance and commitment to the welfare of the people.

The vice president urged Ekiti residents to sustain their support for the APC, noting that continuity would enable the administration to consolidate on its achievements. He also cited major infrastructure projects in the state as evidence of the governor’s performance.

Akpabio, in his remarks, praised Oyebanji for fostering unity among political leaders and promoting gender inclusion by retaining a female deputy governor. He said the governor’s achievements in infrastructure and governance had earned him widespread acceptance across the state.

The senate president added that the presence of former governors from different political backgrounds at the rally underscored Oyebanji’s ability to build bridges and unite stakeholders. He further commended the administration’s focus on youth development and social stability.

In the same vein, the Chairman of the APC National Campaign Council and Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, expressed confidence in Oyebanji’s re-election, saying the governor had recorded remarkable achievements in education, workers’ welfare, transportation, human capital development and road infrastructure. Likewise, Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodinma, also described Oyebanji as a popular and widely accepted leader.

Speaking at the rally, Oyebanji said he was relying on his record in office rather than federal influence to secure victory at the poll. The governor urged residents to remain peaceful during the election and promised greater achievements if given another term. Also speaking, former Governor Ayodele Fayose said he backed Oyebanji because of his unifying leadership style, expressing confidence that the governor would secure a decisive victory at the polls.