Ekiti 2026: Oyebanji preaches peace in statewide broadcast

The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has preached peace in a statewide broadcast ahead of the 2026 governorship election in the state.

He appealed to all stakeholders connected with the conduct of Saturday’s governorship election in the state to ensure peace before, during, and after the election. 

Addressing the people of the State in a statewide broadcast on Wednesday, Governor Oyebanji pointed out that Ekiti, under his watch, has witnessed the most peaceful election in history, advocating that Saturday’s election and post-election activities remain peaceful.

Oyebanji, who is seeking a re-election on the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly tasked members of political parties, election observers, and security agencies to be professional and conduct themselves with the highest level of decorum and fairness.

The state chief executive appreciated the entire people of Ekiti for their support since he mounted the saddle on October 16, 2022.

He said he owed them a debt of gratitude for the privilege to serve them in the last four years. 

He said he does not take the sacred trust reposed in him for granted.

Oyebanji equally used the opportunity to request for a renewal of what he described as “the Shared Prosperity Mandate” given to him four years ago, expressing readiness to take the socio-economic plans of his administration to a greater heights if re-elected.

According to him, given the solid foundation of economic prosperity his administration has laid already, a new mandate will witness “a higher velocity of development and fast delivery of service”.

With another four years of Shared Prosperity mandate, the Ekiti Governor was upbeat that his administration will be able to complete all ongoing projects, entrench policy initiatives, pursue new vision, and open new frontiers of development in accordance with the state’s 30-year Development Plan.

The Governor remarked that he and his administration has fulfilled the electoral promises on the six-pillar development agenda, which has brought about sound policy decisions and impactful policy actions that have led to improved service delivery and orderly governance across sectors in our State. 

Oyebanji explained that he has remained faithful to the social contract with the people of the state.

He said he is more encouraged by the overwhelming goodwill and support he and his team have been receiving across the state, expressing his unrelenting commitment to serving the people better if given another mandate.

He said: “As we approach the polls in another few hours, I want to humbly request that you renew the Shared Prosperity Mandate you gave us four years ago by another four years. 

“While we are proud of the landmark achievements we have recorded in the last four years, I am very confident that with another fours years of your mandate, we will be able to take the socioeconomic plans of our administration to a greater heights. 

“I want to appeal to all stakeholders, members of the political parties, election observers and security agencies to act professionally and conduct themselves with the highest level of decorum and fairness. 

“So far, this current political electioneering has been the most peaceful in the history of our State, and we must do everything to ensure that the election and post election activities remain peaceful.”

The governor stated that he has moved round the state to seek the support of the electorate in the mould of individual voters, interest groups, associations and communities, expressing gratitude with large turnouts of people in support of his candidature in all his party’s campaign rallies coupled with solidarity, support and prayers from stakeholders far and wide.

He hailed the high-powered delegation of party leaders from the national level led by President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima and the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, who were on ground to drum support for his re-election at the final mega rally held on Tuesday.

The Governor specifically thanked President Tinubu for his invaluable support at both political and inter-governmental levels and the support enjoyed by his administration, which he said has been of tremendous importance.

Oyebanji also thanked the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her love for Ekiti, while also appreciating Vice President Shettima for leading the party’s Grand Campaign and taking the pains to visit the state twice in the last week.   

He equally hailed traditional rulers and religious leaders for their cooperation and support, while also expressing gratitude to workers, artisans, market men and women, and different interest groups who have remained supportive of his administration.