- By Demola Atobaba, Ado-Ekiti
The Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, has disclosed that the series of second term endorsements by interest groups won’t serve as distractions to his performance and implementation of lofty policies that can transform the lives of the populace.
Oyebanji, who applauded the groundswell of endorsements being accorded him, said his administration has done exceedingly well by fulfilling electioneering promises to the people in the implementation of the six point agenda that has been the compass of development.
The governor spoke in Ado Ekiti, on Saturday, while being endorsed for second term by a group under the auspices of Progressive Grassroots Development and Support Foundation.
Speaking at the political event, Oyebanji, represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, assured the people that the gale of endorsements will catalyse his spirit and commitment to serve the people better.
Oyebanji urged the members of the group to participate in the voting registration with the Independent National Electoral Commission to be eligible to vote during election, describing this as the best way to make their support potent and effective ahead of 2026.
“What you are doing today is part of your democratic right as enshrined in the Constitution. But let me assure you that the series of endorsements that have been given to our dear governor would be a source of inspiration and not distractions to us.
“We are going to rededicate ourselves and become more focused to deliver democracy dividends to our people wherever they may be.
“I feel honoured that several interest groups have come out openly to endorse Governor Oyebanji for second term even when the government has just got to the middle of its first term. This buttressed the fact that we have worked hard to gain the trust of the people”, Oyebanji said.
Maintaining that the endorsements were not misplaced, Oyebanji posited that his government has worked round the clock to provide security and good governance, saying the occasional cases of insecurity being witnessed, had been responded to adequately to ensure safety of lives and property.
Cataloguing the government strides geared toward adding value to the lives of the citizens, Oyebanji, said just recently, he approved N70,000 as Minimum Wage for workers, assuring that the implementation will begin from December 1, 2024, besides prompt payment of salaries, deductions, pensions and gratuities.
“We have demonstrated enough commitments to job creation and youth development. In the last two years, over 4,000 youths had been employed into the state civil service, while over 20,000 productive population had been gainfully engaged in agriculture, skills acquisition schemes, small and medium scale enterprises, among others.
“In infrastructure, this administration has not disappointed the people. If you travel round the state, you will notice series of ongoing road projects being undertaken by government. They include: The Ado-Iworoko-Ifaki road, Itapa-Omu-Ijelu road, Ikere-Igbara Odo road, Ikere – Ilawe road, Ekiti State Ring Road Phase 1 that crosses over seven communities, Ogotun-Ikogosi road, among others.
“The flagship of this is the flyover project being constructed in Ado Ekiti that will ensure traffic decongestion in the metropolis and boost the functionality of the Ado Ekiti Business District.
“Let me also add that over 40 communities that had hitherto been in total darkness had been reconnected to the national grid and now enjoying progressive increase in business activities”, the governor said.
Espousing the reasons for backing the 2026 continuity agenda, the group’s Coordinator, Mrs Rachael Babatunde, predicated the action on the governor’s performance, especially the empowerment of the citizens to bail them out of poverty and wanton neglect.
Babatunde said: “2026 election is a done deal for Governor Biodun Oyebanji. We will work hard to deliver him, because Ekiti people are feeling the impacts of good governance under Oyebanji, especially the youths, widows, traders, orphans, women groups”.
Lending credence to Oyebanji’s credibility, the Special Adviser on Political Matters to the Governor, Chief Jide Awe, described the governor as a marketable product, who has not disappointed the populace in terms of performance and fraternity with the people at the grassroots.
To fortify the APC, the former All Progressives State Chairman, appealed to members of the association to approach their wards and embark on aggressive mobilisation that will reposition the party ahead of the 2026 poll.
Other high profile dignitaries at the political event are: The Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Kehinde Ajobiewe, a top female politician, Erelu Kemi Elebute “Halle, Technical Assistants, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, among others.
