The Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, and his predecessor, Ayodele Fayose, on Monday canvassed support for the reelection of President Bola Tinubu ahead of the January 2027 presidential election, citing the president’s performance and commitment to the state’s development.
Both leaders spoke at a political rally in Ikere-Ekiti, where a former House of Representatives candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Henrich Akomolafe, and his supporters defected to the All Progressives Congress.
Oyebanji, who is the APC candidate in the June 20 governorship election in the state, urged residents to mobilise massive support for Tinubu’s second-term bid, setting a target of 600,000 votes for the president from the state.
According to him, Tinubu’s re-election would consolidate ongoing economic reforms and further accelerate development across the country and in Ekiti State.
“The President’s re-election for a second term would further boost the fortunes of Ekiti State and Nigeria as a whole.
“Tinubu will, in his second term, have ample opportunity to consolidate the gains of the various economic reforms he has introduced, which have accelerated growth and development in the country,” the governor said.
He added that the state must deliver nothing less than 600,000 votes for the president, urging residents to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and embark on house-to-house mobilisation.
“For us to show our love and support for President Tinubu, we should target about 600,000 votes for him. Anything less than 600,000 votes is not good enough for us in Ekiti,” Oyebanji said.
The governor also appealed for peaceful conduct during the forthcoming elections, noting that his campaign activities had been slowed due to the fasting period observed by Muslims and Christians.
“We don’t want bloodshed and violence. They will lie against us, but we will reply to them with votes,” he added.
In his remarks, Fayose, a chieftain of the PDP, said he had no regrets supporting Oyebanji’s administration and pledged to mobilise support for Tinubu’s reelection despite remaining in the opposition party.
“With or without defections, President Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji have won their elections. They have done creditably well. Ekiti people are not ingrates; we will repay them with electoral victories,” Fayose said.
He also described Oyebanji as a unifying leader, adding that the governor had strengthened Tinubu’s political chances in the state ahead of the 2027 polls.
Meanwhile, Akomolafe said his decision to leave the PDP was driven by the developmental strides recorded under Oyebanji’s administration.
He added that the APC government’s performance in the state convinced him and his supporters to join the ruling party.
Earlier, the Special Adviser on Political Matters, Jide Awe, who represented the APC State Chairman, Sola Elesin, commended Akomolafe for his grassroots mobilisation, noting that more opposition figures were joining the party due to its inclusive leadership.
Other dignitaries at the event included the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Monisade Afuye; the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye; the Chairman of Ikere Local Government, Olu Adamolekun; and his Ikere LCDA counterpart, Rufus Olorunfemi, alongside commissioners, special advisers and party leaders.
The rally comes ahead of the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti State and the January 2027 presidential election, as political parties intensify mobilisation across the country.
