Ekiti Guber Race Heats Up: Oyebanji Tipped For Victory By Political Heavyweights

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, has garnered widespread support from top political figures within and outside the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the forthcoming governorship election. This strong backing, articulated at a grand finale mega rally and in various statements, is primarily attributed to Governor Oyebanji’s impressive performance, developmental initiatives, and commendable leadership style since assuming office.

Former Senate Leader and Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN, expressed unwavering confidence in Governor Oyebanji’s victory. Ndoma-Egba highlighted the governor’s achievements in governance and development, which he believes have earned significant support among Ekiti residents. He emphasized the importance of continuity in leadership to sustain ongoing projects and policies and called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a free, fair, and transparent electoral process, while urging residents to maintain peace.

President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima at the APC’s grand finale mega rally in Ado-Ekiti, lauded Governor Oyebanji as a hardworking and result-oriented leader. President Tinubu stated that Oyebanji’s performance over the past four years had earned him admiration and support across political divides, demonstrating his preparedness for leadership. He pointed to commissioned projects, including one of the longest flyovers in the country, as testament to Oyebanji’s commitment to developing Ekiti State. The President, joined by 18 APC governors and 24 senators, symbolically handed over the APC flag to past governors and first ladies, tasking them to secure victory. He urged the electorate to re-elect Oyebanji, emphasizing his humility, patience, and dedication to the people.

Further endorsements came from other prominent APC leaders. Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, described Oyebanji as a peaceful, humble, and gender-friendly governor whose performance and unification spirit resonated nationwide. Senator Uba Sani, Chairman of the APC National Campaign Council, remarked on Oyebanji’s electrifying popularity, asserting that he surpassed previous governors in education, workers' welfare, transportation, human capital development, and road construction. Governor Hope Uzodinma, Chairman of the APC Governor Forum, noted the organic support for Oyebanji across the state and the APC's robust campaigning efforts. He expressed confidence that the visible developmental projects, including a kilometer-long flyover, validated Oyebanji's popularity.

The APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, echoed this confidence, attributing the party's sure victory to Governor Oyebanji’s robust connection to the populace and his visible achievements in infrastructure, education, and human capital development. Yilwatda, who attended the mega rally alongside other leaders, stated that the massive turnout reflected the governor's acceptance and the people's readiness to reward his administration with another term.

Responding to the overwhelming support, Governor Oyebanji asserted that his confidence for re-election stemmed not from federal might, but from his superlative performance and fidelity to the electioneering promises and social contract he signed with the Ekiti people in 2022. He urged the populace to remain peaceful on election day and assured them that his second term would be even more remarkable than his first three and a half years.

Notably, former Governor Ayodele Fayose, a prominent figure from an opposition party, also publicly backed Governor Oyebanji, citing his unification spirit and political ingenuity in uniting warring political heavyweights in the state. Fayose urged Oyebanji to continue his magnanimity and unifying efforts, predicting that he would make history as the first governor of the state to win re-election back-to-back.

The rally witnessed a significant presence of dignitaries, including Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin, governors from Edo, Kogi, Ogun, Imo, Borno, Nasarawa, Yobe, Bayelsa, Ondo, and Lagos states, as well as former governors Gboyega Oyetola, Niyi Adebayo, Kayode Fayemi, Segun Oni, and Erelu Bisi Fayemi, among many others, all signaling unified support for Governor Oyebanji.