Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State Biodun Oyebanji has promised to ensure that his government worked its policies and programmes to support women if given the mandate.

Oyebanji said that if elected governor, he would build on the gains of Governor Kayode Fayemi and adopt a bottom-up approach in promoting women’s inclusiveness in national development.

He spoke in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, yesterday, at a feminine promotion and empowerment event tagged ‘Obinrinkete’ to commemorate 59th birthday of the governor’s wife, Mrs. Bisi Fayemi.

The candidate assured women that his government will be gender-sensitive, saying he will surpass the 35 per cent affirmative action for women in appointments and elective positions if elected.

Oyebanji, who described women as credible forces in strengthening democracy and nation-building, promised to place high premium on women-related issues.

Read Also: Ekiti Decides 2022: Oyebanji outsmarting opponents?

He added: “We learnt the rope from her Excellency and our governor and leader on how best to promote our women. We know what you want and we shall make you happy. Go home and mobilise for us and, on the day of election, vote for APC. It is the only party with policy that can transform your lives.”

Mrs. Fayemi said allowing Oyebanji to succeed her husband would be of tremendous benefit to the women, noting that only the APC has the policies and administrative frameworks capable of promoting and protecting the womenfolk in the state.

She assured the women that the governorship candidate will sustain all the women-centric policies initiated by the present government.

“A vote for APC is a vote for your progress. Don’t take any chance, come out and vote and ensure that the right government takes over after Governor Fayemi, and that right man is Biodun Oyebanji. We want to have a governor that can see women as partners,” she said.