APC chair declares Oyebanji ‘winner’ ahead of Ekiti poll

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Nentawe Yilwatda, on Monday declared that Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, had effectively secured victory ahead of the June 20 governorship election.

Yilwatda made the remark in Ado Ekiti during the flag-off of the APC governorship campaign for Oyebanji’s second term bid.

“Take a bow because you have won already. The election is won ahead of time. We will win from ward to ward, village to village and local government to local government,” he said.

Oyebanji and his deputy, Monisade Afuye, are seeking re-election on the platform of the APC.

The campaign event drew several governors, including Hope Uzodinma, Uba Sani, Monday Okpebholo, Sheriff Oborevwori, Usman Ododo, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and Mohammed Bago.

Also in attendance were former Ekiti governors, including Niyi Adebayo, Ayodele Fayose, Segun Oni, and Kayode Fayemi.

Speaking, Uba Sani, who chairs the APC governorship campaign in the state, described Oyebanji as one of the best-performing governors and urged voters to support continuity.

“This election is about consolidation. It is about building on foundations,” he said.

Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodinma, said the governors’ presence signified solidarity, assuring voters that Oyebanji would not disappoint.

“A vote for Oyebanji is a vote for President Bola Tinubu,” he added.

In their separate remarks, former governors in the state commended Oyebanji’s performance and urged voters to re-elect him.

Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, who chairs the local campaign organisation, said the governor had united the state and would run an issue-based campaign.

In his response, Oyebanji promised to build on his administration’s achievements, attributing the progress recorded so far to the support of President Bola Tinubu.