The people of Ekiti State, irrespective of political leanings, are endorsing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Biodun Oyebanji for second term today in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, at a grand ceremony organised by the all-inclusive, ‘State-Wide Endorsement Committee,’ led by former Deputy Governor Abiodun Aluko. Deputy Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU writes on the significance of the unprecedented move and implications for next year’s poll in the Fountain of Knowledge.
Ekiti State is ready for 2026 and 2027. Today in Ado, Ekiti, the state capital, indigenes and residents from over 120 towns and villages would converge on the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion to endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term.
Simultaneously, the determined electorate would also endorse Governor Biodun Oyebanji and his deputy, Mrs. Monisade Afuye, for re-election.
Next year’s governorship poll would precede the the 2027 presidential election.
Former four governors – Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Segun Oni, Ayodele Fayose, and Dr. Kayode Fayemi – are backing the president and governor.
Former deputy governor and leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Biodun Olujimi, who also defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the weekend, is expected at the event.
Ekiti is aglow with festivities as BAO takes a bow for second term.
“Never has this type of thing happened in Ekiti, where four former governors are now backing an incumbent for a second term,” said Fayose on television.
The chairman of the Endorsement Committee, former Deputy Governor Abiodun Aluko, justified the collective backing for the president and governor. “The event is not just an endorsement, but a people-driven affirmation of the transformative leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji,” he said, adding that the reasons behind the move cannot be faulted.
“It is a confirmation of the series of endorsements cutting across all strata and a unification of the wish of Ekiti people and beyond to unite behind a common vision for continued progress. It is therefore, a defining moment in our political journey, a moment to reaffirm our commitment, express our gratitude, and showcase the enduring partnership between leadership and the people.”
President Tinubu has in the last two years pursued progressive policies and developmental programmes geared towars the repositioning of the country for excellence. In the couse of implenting the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda,’his reforms have been motovated by national interest and the prime desire to erect a firm foundation for good governance and leave a lasting legacy.
The president removed the fuel subsidy, thereby blocking the financial loopholes. More money now go the sub-national unit for development. He has been fighting the infrastructure battle with vigour. He has promised to give Ekiti infrastructural deficit a good attention, going by the assurance by the Works Minister Senator Dave Umahi. Many tertiary students now savour the Loans Scheme.
Recently, a new university was sited by the Tinubu administration at Iyin-Ekiti, in addition to the pre-existing federal institutions. Prominent Ekiti sons in the federal government relay how much the president loves Ekiti, stressing that he has been a great statesman, father-figure and good in-law.
Aluko also pointed out that Oyebanji has been up and doing by re-enacting or replicating the presidential feats in Ekiti. He explained In less than three years, the governor has demonstrated uncommon focus, humility, and effectiveness in governance, citing road construction rural electrification, investments in education, healthcare, and job creation as his core achievements.
The Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, explained the focus and scope of the endorsement. He corrected the impression that only politicians or the APC family is involved, clarifying that the entire state, including individuals and groups, academic, market men and women, food sellers, transport unions, okada riders, students, trade unions, artisans and peasants, are clamouring for the governor’s Oyebanji’s re-election.
A home boy, Oyebanji, who understands Ekiti ‘inside out,’ has allowed his cardinal decisions to be dictated by the wishes of the people. He has governed with humility, patriotism and commitment to welfare.
His success cannot be divorced from his orienation and experience about the challenges of development confronting the state. Born and bred in Ekiti, the governor attended primary, secondary and the state-owned university in the state. A native of rustic Ikogosi, which nevertheless, is catapulted to global fame as a tourist centre by the Warm Spring, Oyebanji is conversant with the language, yearnings and expectations of the far-flung communities and their thirst for a new lease of life.
His style has demystified government and governance. Always accessible and sympathetic to plight, he has always put himself in the shoes of in distress. It is not about mere populism. His open door policy has facilitated easy feedback, and as a governor commoners can see, feel, touch and speak with in the public, they pour out their minds to him at the town hall. In responding positively, they now believe they own the government of the people, with their blood flowing in the veins of the administration.
Oyebanji’s administration is a government of continuity. No doubt, his predecessor, Fayemi, laid a foundation that he has continued to build upon. It is to the credit of the maturity of the past and incumbent governors that unlike in Rivers and some other states, there is no repressed predecessor-successor crisis.
The governor has presided over a peaceful state. There is peace in the ruling party and government, and so far, there is no inter-party tension. His inclusive policies are generally endearing, making politicians from the ruling and opposition party to see the government as their own. Ekiti is one zone, although there are three senatorial districts created for political expediency . Appointments and infrastructural projects are evenly distributed among the districts, councils and local development authorities in a way that fosters equity and fairness. The critical engagement with the opposition has fostered amity and reduced the usual bitterness, acrimony and discord. Ekiti is no more in the news for the wrong reason. Gone were the days of violence, thuggery and killings.
Priority is accorded to security of life and property. The invasion of kidnappers from the neighbouring northern state of Kogi was halted. The state security achitecture was reinvigorated with new vision, personnel and equippment. There is inter-agency collaboration and synergy, and since security is a joint duty, the people became partners in intelligence gathering.
In the civil service state of Ekiti, there is cordial relationship between government and employees. Salaries of civil servants, teachers and local government workers are paid promptly.
Retirees are not in pains. Gratuities are not delayed. Pensons are paid regularly.
Ado-Ekiti, state capital and rallying point, is undergoing urban renewal. More people are flocking into the ‘city,’ because there is transquility. Currently, the state government is constructing the Ejigbo overhead bridge. Township roads are being reconstructed and rehabilitated. This also cuts across the councils.
Road projects are being executed in Ikere-Igbara Odo Road, Ado-Ekiti, Ikere-Ise-Emure Ekiti, Iworoko, Ifaki, Efon-Alaaye, Igbara-Odo-Ikogosi, Ilawe-Ikere, Omu-Ijelu, Ijurin-Ipoti, Ikole-Ara-Isinbode
The governor is also working towards stable power supply in Ekiti by reducing regulatory impediments. The Ekiti State Electricity Regulatory Bureau is being empowered to take control of the essential facility direction. Four Meter Assess Providers (MAP) have been identified and collaboration is ongoing between MAPs BEDC and Ekiti State to provide prepaid meters for many households at affordable cost.
The five pilot communities are Erinmope, Ode, Aisegba, Imesi, Ipole-Iloro. Also, an Order on tariff setting for customers under BEDC/IBEDC Services Areas have been issued.
The administration is erecting solar streetlights in towns to increase business hours and enhance security. Many communities savour for State’s economy. Other projects the installation of new transformers, and the rehabilitation of 33KVA network, from Ilumoba to Ikole Ekiti, and the extension of 33KVA electricity network from Ilawe to Igbara-Odo Ekiti. Communities like Ijan, Ilumoba, Aisegba, Agbado, Imesi, Ode, Isinbode, Egbe, Iro Ayeteju and Omuo are connected to the national grid. Thus, darkness has become a thing of the past. The people of after many years of being in total blackout. The people of Omuo Ekiti to Eda Ile, Ikun Oba, Araromi and Ilasa Ekiti also enjoy electricity connection without interruption.
Oyebanji has established commodity boards and introduced a minimum farm gate price, a guarantee of storage facilities in urban markets. His robust agricultural policy is designed to boost productivity and enhance food security.
The governor has also secured an $80 million AfDB fund for the Ekiti Knowledge Zone (EKZ) project, with the intention of empowering MSMEs with grants and credit.
Ekiti is noted for education. The governor was, partly, a product of free education of the Ajasin administration in the Second Republic. He is providing a conducive atmosphere for teaching and learning in schools. His administration has recruited 1,300 primary school teachers and invested N14 billion in the renovation and construction of 203 public schools. He has paid N546.9 million in WASSCE examination fees for 16,269 students.
Health is wealth. Conscious of this fact, Oyebanji has upgraded healthcare facilities across the state and equipped them with personnel and adequate infrastructure.
