Oyebanji pledges commitment to Ekiti development plan, backs state police

Ekiti Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, says his administration will remain committed to the state’s 30-year development plan, assuring residents that ongoing growth and governance reforms will be sustained.

Oyebanji said this on Wednesday while speaking with State House Correspondents after a thank-you visit to President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, following his re-election as governor of the state.

“I have my job cut out for me. We have a 30-year development plan that we are following diligently. Our budgets and manifesto are built around that plan, so we are not changing course,” he said.

The governor attributed his re-election to divine grace and President Tinubu’s support, saying both factors enabled his administration to fulfil promises made to the people of Ekiti State. “It is not about doing anything differently. It is about the grace of God and the support of the President that enabled us to deliver on our promises to our people,” he said.

Oyebanji said the political season had ended and pledged to work with all stakeholders, including opponents, to strengthen governance and accelerate development across the state in coming years.

“Politics has ended. We must return to governance. I have reached out to my opponents because I need their wisdom, suggestions and advice to continue delivering for our people,” he said.

Expressing confidence in Tinubu’s prospects ahead of the 2027 presidential election, Oyebanji said support for the president continued to grow in Ekiti and would translate into stronger electoral outcomes.

“Our support has continued to grow from 187,000 votes in 2022 to 210,000 and now more than 318,000. Our target in 2027 is between 600,000 and 700,000 votes, and it is achievable.”

The governor also reaffirmed the commitment of state governors to the establishment of state police, saying they were prepared to approve the required constitutional amendment once transmitted.

“We are ready for state police. Once the constitutional amendment is transmitted to the State Houses of Assembly, governors are prepared to give it speedy approval,” he said.

Earlier, Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, acknowledged concerns about possible abuse of state police but said safeguards were being incorporated into the proposed constitutional amendment framework.

Bamidele, who served as chairman of Oyebanji’s campaign council, said stakeholders must work collectively to ensure state police functions effectively and contributes to addressing insecurity across the country. “The concerns are legitimate, but mechanisms are being put in place to minimise abuse.

State police has become a child of necessity, and governors are largely united on its establishment,” Bamidele said.

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