The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Oyebanji

  • Ekiti 2026: Senator Arise rallies support for Oyebanji

    Ekiti 2026: Senator Arise rallies support for Oyebanji

    A former member of the National Assembly, Senator Ayo Arise, has canvassed support for Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, ahead of the June 20 governorship election.

    Arise said Governor Oyebanji has done well to merit another term in office, having turned around the fortunes of the state in many key sectors.

    The former Chairman of Senate Committee on Privatization made the call while on a consultation tour, to political leaders and other stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ikole and Oye Local Government Areas.

    Senator Arise met with the APC  chairmen in Ikole, Oye, Ido/Osi, Moba and Ilejemeje Local Government Areas which make up the senatorial district in the course of the consultation with party stakeholders.

    He charged party members to speed up aggressive mobilization drive to bring more members into the party and ensure their registration with the extension of the e-registration of new members and revalidation of the membership of old members.

    The APC chieftain said registration of new members and revalidation of old members would help the re-election aspiration of Governor Oyebanji and make the party more formidable ahead of the governorship polls and future elections in the state.

    Senator Arise commended Governor Oyebanji’s investment in the agriculture sector with Ikole Local Government being a huge beneficiary with the attraction of investors like Agbeyewa Farms and the designation of the council area as a Special Agriculture Processing Zone.

    He said communities like Ipao, Oke Ako, Irele and Iyemero captured within the Special Agriculture Processing Zone have become hubs for commercial agriculture which has generated employment for thousands of youths.

    According to him, projects like Itapa-Ijelu-Omu Road, Ido-Ipere-Iludun Road and many others executed by Governor Oyebanji showed his love for the people of Ekiti North and must be reciprocated with votes to get him re-elected at the forthcoming governorship election.

    Read Also: Tinubu, Oyebanji hail Ondo’s developmental strides

    Senator Arise urged party leaders and members to work for Governor Oyebanji’s victory and make the governorship election a priority to ensure the continuation of good governance and purposeful leadership in Ekiti State.

    According to him, the legacies of the quality and result-oriented representation he delivered when he was in the Senate in the areas of projects, infrastructure and human capital development are unprecedented and would love to do more if given the opportunity again.

    Party leaders in Ikole Local Government Area like Chief Ayodele Owoeye, Hon Segun Adelugba and Mrs Oluyinka Awe described Senator Arise’s last tenure in the Senate as “the golden era of representation” which the people of the senatorial district would want to taste again.

    They noted that the Federal University, Oye Ekiti which was influenced to Ekiti North by Senator Arise during his time in the Senate has become a legacy project with a huge impact on the educational, economic and social life of the people with towns like Ikole, Itapa, Ilupeju and Ayegbaju benefiting from its multi-campus structure.

    Prince Ore Fabunmi and Mrs Beatrice Adeleye who spoke on behalf of the Elders Forum in Oye Local Government Area commended Senator Arise’s contribution to the growth and success of the party in the past describing him as a competent leader that can be trusted.

  • Tinubu, Oyebanji hail Ondo’s developmental strides

    Tinubu, Oyebanji hail Ondo’s developmental strides

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has hailed Ondo State for its remarkable and consistent development over the past 50 years, describing the state as a shining example of steady growth and purposeful leadership.

    Speaking yesterday at a colourful ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the creation of Ondo State in Akure, President Tinubu said Ondo had demonstrated strong dedication to the advancement of democracy and progress, especially in education, infrastructure and human capital development, adding that the state’s growth trajectory remained a source of pride to the country.

    The President, represented by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji- Ojo, spoke just as Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, and former governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, praised the resilience, unity and commitment of the people of the state, noting that the state had recoded significant achievements across sectors since its creation in 1976.

    The President said: “As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Ondo State, I hold the people of Ondo State with very high regards. I recognise the resilience, industrial and civic responsibility of Ondo people.

    READ ALSO: Retreat on improving polytechnic education

    “During the last national election, the people of Ondo State demonstrated remarkable participation, discipline and commitment to democratic ideals. Your engagements strengthen the nation’s democracy and reinforce our belief in purposeful leadership. I deeply appreciate your support and I assure all citizens of Ondo State that my administration remains commuted to serving Nigerians equitably”.

    Governor Oyebanji, who congratulated the government and people of Ondo State for sustaining the vision of its founding fathers, acknowledged the state’s consistency in delivering meaningful development, stressing that Ondo had continued to play a vital role in the socio-economic advancement of the Southwest and Nigeria as a whole.

    The governor noted that the progress recorded by Ondo State served as motivation for other states to remain committed to policies and programmes that enhanced the welfare and well-being of their citizens.

    “I bring greetings from your brothers and sisters in Ekiti State. We started this journey together 50 years ago, but 29 years ago we left and we are so grateful to God that Ondo is going up and up and good things are happening in Ondo State. We are so proud of the development strides Ondo State has achieved.” the governor said.

    Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who expressed deep appreciation to President Tinubu and other dignitaries for joining the state in celebrating its golden jubilee, described the 50th anniversary as a significant milestone that reflects the sacrifices, vision and collective efforts of the founding fathers and successive administrations that have contributed to the growth and transformation of the state.

    He also commended the people of Ondo State for their enduring unity, resilience and support for government initiatives over the years and urged them to continue to work together in peace and harmony, assuring the citizens that his administration remained focused on building a more prosperous, inclusive and sustainable future for the state.

    Noting that Ondo State has made remarkable progress in critical sectors such as education, health care, infrastructure, agriculture and industrial development, the governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustaining policies and programmes that would further improve the standard of living of residents, attract investments and create opportunities for economic prosperity across the state.

    It is recalled that Ondo State, like Ogun and Oyo states, was created from the old Western State, when the country embraced the 19-state structure in 1976. Ekiti State was carved out of the old Ondo State on October 1, 1996.

  • 10,000 Ekiti youths, students march for Tinubu, Oyebanji

    10,000 Ekiti youths, students march for Tinubu, Oyebanji

    No fewer than 10,000 youths in Ekiti State on Friday staged a solidarity march in support of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Biodun Oyebanji ahead of the 2027 general election and governorship poll in the state.

    The youths, including students,s converged on the All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat in Ajilosun, Ado Ekiti, before marching through major streets of the state capital to Fajuyi Pavilion, chanting solidarity songs in support of President Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji

    Addressing the youths, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, Comr. Sunday Asefon said the march was organised to appreciate the people-oriented leadership of Tinubu and Oyebanji, particularly in the area of education and youth development at the federal and state levels.

    Asefon said that student dropout rates in higher institutions had reduced due to strategic education reforms initiated by the Tinubu administration, adding that bursaries, scholarships and subventions to tertiary institutions in Ekiti had been increased.

    He explained that the rally was a clear signal of support for President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general poll, stressing that the youths and students were firmly behind his administration.

    He added that the turnout at the march demonstrated the readiness of young people in Ekiti to reward both leaders at the polls for their immense contributions to education and youth empowerment.

    Read Also: If you know Tinubu’s background, you’ll know he understands how to fix Nigeria — Olubadan

    Asefon urged the youths and students to reciprocate the investments by collecting their Permanent Voter Cards and voting massively for Governor Oyebanji in the June 20, 2026, governorship poll, noting that online support alone would not be counted by the electoral body.

    The Presidential aide exuded confidence that Governor Oyebanji would secure overwhelming votes in the governorship poll across the 177 wards and polling units in the state.

    The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of YSJ Farms, Mrs. Oluwayemisi Joluwe, also mobilised support for President Bola Tinubu and Governor Biodun Oyebanji, calling on youths across Ekiti State to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and actively participate in the electoral process.

    She said that young people constituted a significant proportion of the country’s population and should harness their numerical strength to support leaders who had demonstrated commitment to youth empowerment, agriculture and education.

    The Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasaoye, described the rally as a vote of confidence in President Bola Tinubu and Governor Biodun Oyebanji, saying both leaders deserved a second term in view of what he called their stellar performance in office.

  • 10,000 Ekiti youths, students march for Tinubu, Oyebanji

    10,000 Ekiti youths, students march for Tinubu, Oyebanji

    No fewer than 10,000 youths in Ekiti State on Friday staged a solidarity march in support of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Biodun Oyebanji ahead of the 2027 general election and governorship poll in the state.

    The youths, including students, converged on the All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat in Ajilosun, Ado Ekiti, before marching through major streets of the state capital to Fajuyi Pavilion, chanting solidarity songs in support of President Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji

    Addressing the youths, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, Comr. Sunday Asefon said the march was organised to appreciate the people-oriented leadership of Tinubu and Oyebanji, particularly in the area of education and youth development at the federal and state levels.

    Asefon said that student dropout rates in higher institutions had reduced due to strategic education reforms initiated by the Tinubu administration, adding that bursaries, scholarships, and subventions to tertiary institutions in Ekiti had been increased.

    He explained that the rally was a clear signal of support for President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election, stressing that the youths and students were firmly behind his administration.

    He added that the turnout at the march demonstrated the readiness of young people in Ekiti to reward both leaders at the polls for their immense contributions to education and youth empowerment.

    Asefon urged the youths and students to reciprocate the investments by collecting their Permanent Voter Cards and voting massively for Governor Oyebanji in the June 20, 2026, governorship poll, noting that online support alone would not be counted by the electoral body.

    The Presidential aide exuded confidence that Governor Oyebanji would secure overwhelming votes in the governorship poll across the 177 wards and polling units in the state.

    The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of YSJ Farms, Mrs Oluwayemisi Joluwe, also mobilised support for President Bola Tinubu and Governor Biodun Oyebanji, calling on youths across Ekiti State to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and actively participate in the electoral process.

    She said that young people constituted a significant proportion of the country’s population and should harness their numerical strength to support leaders who had demonstrated commitment to youth empowerment, agriculture, and education.

    Joluwe urged them not to succumb to apathy, stressing that voting remained the most effective and efficient way to influence governance and secure a better future.

    She added that the Tinubu and Oyebanji administrations had introduced policies and programmes that directly benefited youths, particularly in agriculture and economic empowerment, urging young people to reciprocate the gestures by turning out massively on Election Day to support both leaders.

    The Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasaoye, described the rally as a vote of confidence in President Bola Tinubu and Governor Biodun Oyebanji, saying both leaders deserved a second term in view of what he called their stellar performance in office.

    He said that the administration of Tinubu at the federal level and Oyebanji in Ekiti had delivered people-oriented policies, particularly in infrastructure, education, youth development, and the health sector. 

  • Ekiti 2026: Afenifere denies endorsing ADC gov candidate, backs Oyebanji

    Ekiti 2026: Afenifere denies endorsing ADC gov candidate, backs Oyebanji

    The Ekiti State chapter of Afenifere has denied reports linking the Yoruba socio-political group to the endorsement of the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the June 2026 governorship election, Amb. Dare Bejide.

    In a statement issued on Thursday by its Publicity Secretary, Biodun Akin-Fasae, the organization led by Elder Jonathan Yemi Alade and Secretary, Chief Ronke Okusanya, disowned a group claiming to speak for the organization, describing it as fake and unrecognised.

    The group said that individuals parading themselves as leaders and members of Afenifere were not known to the Ekiti chapter and had no mandate to act or speak on its behalf.

    The organisation stated that the group allegedly led by one Olayemi Olajuyinmi was not listed in its membership register and had no affiliation with Afenifere in the state.

    It accused the group of attempting to exploit the name and reputation of Afenifere for personal and political interests, urging the public to disregard any statements credited to it.

    Reaffirming its political position, Afenifere said that it remained firmly aligned with the APC and unequivocally supported the re-election bid of Governor Oyebanji, whom it said deserved a second term.

    The group stressed that it had no relationship with the ADC or any other political party outside the APC, insisting that any contrary claims were false and misleading.

    It, therefore, urged members of the public to be vigilant and not fall for what it described as attempts by political opportunists to create confusion ahead of the 2026 governorship election.

  • Ekiti youths to stage 10,000-man march for Tinubu, Oyebanji

    Ekiti youths to stage 10,000-man march for Tinubu, Oyebanji

    Youths in Ekiti State are planning a 10,000-man solidarity march in support of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Biodun Oyebanji ahead of the 2027 general election and governorship election in the state.

    Commissioner for Youth Development, Adesola Gold Adedayo, disclosed this on Wednesday in Ado Ekiti while featuring on a current affairs programme aired by local radio stations.

    Adedayo said the planned march slated for Friday, January 23, 2026, was aimed at aggressively mobilising support for President Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji in appreciation of their purposeful, youth -friendly and inclusive leadership.

    Adedayo, who also serves as the coordinator of the All Progressives Congress electronic registration exercise in the state, noted that youths constitute about 70 per cent of registered voters, according to figures from the Independent National Electoral Commission.

    He described the youth population as a strategic electoral force capable of determining the outcome of elections, adding that Governor Oyebanji had earned their loyalty through deliberate investments in youth development.

    Adedayo said Governor Oyebanji’s policies in agriculture, particularly the establishment of farm settlements and dormitories for commercial farming, had provided employment and economic opportunities for young people.

    The initiative, he said, had transformed rural communities into productive hubs, while youth farmers reportedly shared over N1bn as proceeds in December last year.

    The commissioner cited empowerment programmes, support for persons living with disabilities, and the state’s free education policy as some of the interventions that had endeared the administration to the youth.

    Adedayo added that the policies had ensured that children from poor backgrounds were not forced out of school due to financial constraints.

    Adedayo urged youths not to limit their political participation to social media activities but to collect their Permanent Voter Cards and vote during the election, saying that online support alone would not translate into electoral victory, urging young people to be actively involved in the democratic process.

    He added that the 10,000-man march would serve as a veritable platform to demonstrate the youths’ readiness to support President Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji’s re-election, whom he described as a lover and promoter of youth development.

    On governance, the Commissioner said that the achievements of the Oyebanji administration were evident in areas such as road infrastructure, agriculture, sports development, labour relations, security, arts and culture.

    Adedayo also commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as his commitment to repositioning the country on the path of economic recovery and prosperity.

    He said that the President’s policies and reforms had created opportunities for states, including Ekiti, to attract federal support and investments that would drive development at the sub-national level.

  • Oyebanji hails Odusote’s appointment

    Oyebanji hails Odusote’s appointment

    Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has congratulated Dr Gbemisola Odusote on her appointment as Director-General of Nigerian Law School by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    He thanked the President for appointing the Ado-Ekiti-born lawyer, describing the choice as “well deserved”.

    He noted that the appointment makes Odusote the first female Director-General of Nigerian Law School.

    In a statement by his media adviser, Yinka Oyebode, the governor said he was confident Odusote would excel.

    He described her as “a distinguished scholar and a seasoned administrator” with integrity and notable academic accomplishments.

    Read Also: Oyebanji urges support for Tinubu’s reforms, peaceful conduct ahead of June guber poll

    Oyebanji urged Odusote to deploy her wealth of experience and expertise, ‘’particularly at this critical period.’’

    He enjoined her to uphold “integrity, dedication, loyalty, courage and excellence”, virtues he said define Ekiti people.

    The governor assured her of the support of Ekiti State Government and the people as she assumed office.

    He also hailed President Tinubu, saying the appointment reflected his commitment to placing competent hands in strategic positions.

  • Oyebanji urges support for Tinubu’s reforms, peaceful conduct ahead of June guber poll

    Oyebanji urges support for Tinubu’s reforms, peaceful conduct ahead of June guber poll

    Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has urged the people of the State to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his bid to rescue Nigeria from saboteurs who don’t want the country and its citizens to be free from hardship.

    Oyebanji urged Ekiti people to intensify their prayers for the President and his administration to successfully implement impactful reforms that will make life better for Nigerians and rescue them from those holding the country by the jugular.

    The governor made the statement on Friday at an Inter-faith Thanksgiving Service to mark the first working day of the year 2026, which took place at the Obafemi Awolowo Civic and Convention Centre, Ado Ekiti, where he led the people, including top government functionaries, in prayers for peace, progress, and prosperity of the state and the country at large.

    READ ALSO; Guru Maharaj Ji predicts Tinubu, APC’s victory in 2027

    He reiterated his call to politicians, political parties, and the people of the state to maintain peace before, during, and after the June 20 governorship election, promising to manage the affairs of the state well, such that electioneering activities would not affect governance and service delivery.

     Oyebanji emphasised his readiness as a governorship candidate and that of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), to play the game according to the rules, expressing confidence that his superlative performance in the last three years would earn him and his party another four-year term in office.

    While attributing the success recorded by his administration to God and the Ekiti people, Oyebanji also reserved a special commendation for President Tinubu, whom he noted had so far supported Ekiti immensely to be better than what it used to be, urging the people to reciprocate by supporting the policies of the President and praying for him to succeed.

    Speaking further, Oyebanji said the President’s policies, although painful initially, have started to yield dividends. He cited the remarkable drop in prices of food items and the pump price of petrol as some of the noticeable gains.

  • Oyebanji urges support for Tinubu’s reforms, peaceful conduct ahead of June guber poll

    Oyebanji urges support for Tinubu’s reforms, peaceful conduct ahead of June guber poll

    • …says electioneering for gubernatorial election won’t affect governance

    Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has urged the people of the State to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his bid to rescue Nigeria from saboteurs who don’t want the country and its citizens to be free from hardship.

    Oyebanji urged Ekiti people to intensify their prayers for the President and his administration to successfully implement impactful reforms that will make life better for Nigerians and rescue them from those holding the country by the jugular.

    The Governor made the statement on Friday at an Inter-faith Thanksgiving Service to mark the first working day of the year 2026, which took place at the Obafemi Awolowo Civic and Convention Centre, Ado Ekiti, where he led the people, including top government functionaries, in prayers for peace, progress, and prosperity of the state and the country at large.

    He reiterated his call to politicians, political parties, and the people of the state to maintain peace before, during, and after the June 20 governorship election, promising to manage the affairs of the state well, such that electioneering activities would not affect governance and service delivery.

    Governor Oyebanji emphasised his readiness as a governorship candidate and that of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), to play the game according to the rules, expressing confidence that his superlative performance in the last three years would earn him and his party another four-year term in office.

    While attributing the success recorded by his administration to God and the Ekiti people, Oyebanji also reserved a special commendation for President Tinubu, whom he noted had so far supported Ekiti immensely to be better than what it used to be, urging the people to reciprocate by supporting the policies of the President and praying for him to succeed.

    Speaking further, Oyebanji said the President’s policies, although painful initially, have started to yield dividends. He cited the remarkable drop in prices of food items and the pump price of petrol as some of the noticeable gains.

    Oyebanji said, “For everything we have achieved here, I give God the glory, but after God, I stand here to publicly thank the President for his support for us and his policies, which are positively turning around the situation in our country. Remember, it is not the price you bought a bag of rice a year ago that you are buying it now; it is not the prices you bought garri, beans, and even fuel that you are buying them now.

    “We must join the President to take this country from those who are holding it by the jugular. We should support the tax reforms because they will make more money available to all tiers of government. Let us always pray for Mr President to defeat those who don’t want this country to prosper and be better for all of us.

    “When you have a leader who is prepared, when you have a leader who means well for the people and a leader that is sincere, the country will move forward. A policy may be tough initially, it’s like a boil that will be more painful when it’s about to burst. These are necessary things we have to go through.

    “Now, the worst is over, the economy is rebounding, the Naira has stabilized, fuel price is coming down, inflation is receding, and what we can do now is to encourage the President and pray for him. If he can do this in less than three years, imagine what he will do in eight years.

    “But those who have held this country by the jugular, who don’t want us to prosper, it behoves us to retrieve this country from them. The President is ready, we in Ekiti State must support him and continue to pray for him because he has demonstrated capacity, he has demonstrated commitment, and he has demonstrated that he knows what he is doing.”

    Declaring 2026 as a year of unlimited opportunities in Ekiti, Oyebanji charged political office holders in the state to work assiduously as stewards and manage the resources of the state well so that every citizen will feel the impact of government.

    Earlier in the Christian sermon, the state Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Reverend Emmanuel Aribasoye, charged Oyebanji to always remember the covenant that brought him into office and not to allow anybody to turn him against God, reminding the Governor to maintain his good personality as a servant of the people.

    The State Qareeb Missioner, Alhaji Abdul-Hakeem Afenifere, advised the Governor and other political leaders in the state to refrain from ingratitude, lack of contentment, and failure to show mercy to the less privileged, reminding them that power is transient and that they will stand before God to give account of their stewardship.

    The event was attended by the Deputy Governor, Mrs Monisade Afuye; the First Lady, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji;  Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, Chief Judge, Justice Adekanye Ogunmoye; House of Representatives member representing Ekiti South Federal Constituency I, Hon. Adeniyi Ojuawo; Chairman of the State Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado; state lawmakers, heads of labour and trade unions, heads of institutions, local government chairmen, political office holders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil servants, and members of the public.

  • 2027: APC chieftain predicts landslide victory for Tinubu, Oyebanji

    2027: APC chieftain predicts landslide victory for Tinubu, Oyebanji

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Jide Akinyemi, has expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu and Governor Biodun Oyebanji will secure landslide victories in the 2027 general elections and the 2026 governorship poll, respectively.

    Akinyemi said the APC remains firmly rooted in Ekiti and has become the party of choice among the people, whom he described as overwhelmingly satisfied with the purposeful leadership of the APC-led administration in the state.

    He made the assertion on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti during the distribution of food items and Christmas gifts worth several million naira to more than 5,000 beneficiaries drawn from the state’s 16 local government areas.

    According to him, the impressive performances of President Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji would translate into massive electoral support for the ruling party, as the people are prepared to reward the APC at the polls.

    Akinyemi added that the widespread support currently enjoyed by APC-led governments at both the federal and state levels reflects the dividends of good governance and responsible leadership.

    “For the first time in a long while, people across the state are speaking with one voice about governance. Workers are paid, senior citizens receive their pensions, and there are visible initiatives that touch the lives of the people. With this level of performance, landslide victories are inevitable,” he said.

    Akinyemi explained that the annual Christmas outreach, which has been sustained for about four years, was designed to support vulnerable members of society and to complement the efforts of the Oyebanji administration in easing the economic burden on households, particularly the elderly, women, and less-privileged families.

    He dismissed speculations that the humanitarian gesture was driven by personal political ambition, stressing that the foundation’s activities are purely philanthropic and aimed at supporting good governance.

    While receiving Akinyemi and his supporters into the party, Chairman of the Ekiti State APC, Barr. Sola Eleshin described him as a patriotic citizen whose commitment to the welfare of the people aligns with the values of the APC.

    Eleshin said that Akinyemi’s decision to formally align with the party would further strengthen the APC’s grassroots support, expressing confidence that the party would continue to enjoy overwhelming acceptance among the people of Ekiti State.