The Senate Leader and Chairman, Ekiti APC 2026 Governorship Campaign Council, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele has said that the excellent performance of Governor Biodun Oyebanji in the last three and a half years has made his re- election an easy task.
Senator Bamidele said the programmes and policies of the Governor has made significant impact on the lives of the people adding that they have resolved to repay him with an overwhelmingly huge volume of votes in appreciation.
The Senate Leader stated this in Ijero, Efon Alaaye and Aramoko on Monday during Governor Oyebanji’s campaign tour of Ijero, Efon and Ekiti West Local Government Areas respectively.
Senator Bamidele spoke just as Ekiti State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Mr Biodun Oyebanji expressed confidence of a big margin victory in the June 20 governorship election.
Governor Oyebanji said his performance since coming to power, which has been acknowledged far and wide as being superlative and commendable, has given him assurance of the commitment of Ekiti people to return him for a second term in office with a record volume of votes.
A massive crowd of residents and party supporters thronged the rally venues in Ijero, Efon Alaaye and Aramoko Ekiti as the Governor and his entourage were given a rousing welcome in a carnival-like atmosphere.
Addressing the crowd at the campaign ground, Oyebanji described Ijero Local Government as a progressives stronghold that had always delivered impressive figures of vote saying he expects the momentum to be scaled up in the coming election as part of efforts to hit the minimum target of 500,000 votes.
The Governor specifically tasked the chieftains and members of the APC to go to eligible voters who have voters’ cards at their polling units and wards and especially those who are not members of the party and convince them to vote for the party at the election.
The APC flag bearer said he was very sure of victory on the strength of his performance and well-documented achievements in office in the key sectors including infrastructure, education, agriculture, rural development, education, human capital development and workers’ welfare.
He said: “As a party, we have set a target for ourselves, we have set a minimum target of 500,000 votes. All of us must go home to our units and wards and identify every registered voter especially those who are not members of our party but have voters’ cards.
“If performance is the yardstick, we have nothing to fear because of what we have done in the areas of health, education, infrastructure, agriculture, human capital development, workers’ salaries and welfare of our pensioners.
“The votes must be massive and on June 21 when the result will be declared, I want the President to hear the quantum of votes and his mind will be at rest. In Ekiti, we are going to speak with our votes. On election days, take at least five persons a long with you to the polling booth and vote for APC.”
At Efon Alaaye, the Governor who spent part of his formative years in the town, listed several projects executed for the people by his administration and the federal government led by President Bola Tinubu urged the electorate to reciprocate with their votes.
He listed the projects to include the Alanaka Road, Efon Alaaye General Hospital, transformers, Efon-Ipole-Ikogosi Road, Primary Health Centres, Teacher Training College and Itawure-Erio-Aramoko Federal highway which leads to Ado Ekiti, the state capital where work is presently ongoing.
The Governor attributed all the work done by his administration to the benevolence and magnanimity of President Tinubu urging the electorate in Efon to show appreciation with their massive votes.
“If we have a President that does all these for us, we need to apprciiate him in return by voting for his party, the APC in all forthcoming elections. In 2022 you did not vote for our party but we worked for you. But in the coming election, you will combine the votes of 2022 with that of 2026 and the figure will shoot up very well.”
Speaking further, Senator Bamidele, who represents Ekiti Central in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly, appreciated the people of the state for their support for Oyebanji and APC. He canvassed for another opportunity to consolidate the good governance being enjoyed in the state.
The Senate Leader said: “Governor Oyebanji’s first term was favourable to Ekiti because the state has witnessed transformation in all areas. Also, Ekiti has enjoyed peace under his administration, there is unity of purpose and development under him.
“It is not a question of winning the election but with a wide margin. Let us cast our votes massive for APC and Governors Oyebanji for this good work to continue and for our state to keep moving forward.”
The State APC Chairman, Barrister Sola Elesin, stressed that the Governor has done well to justify a fresh term in office noting that all hands must be on deck to to ensure his return to office.
Representatives of various interest groups who spoke at the rallies hailed the impact of the Oyebanji Administration and pledged their readiness to cast cast their votes to make his re-election a reality.
They commended Oyebanji’s inclusive governance, appointment of their indigenes into key positions in government, projects executed in their areas, empowerment of citizens, among others.
