President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has endorsed Governor Biodun Oyebanji for a second term, saying the governor came “solidly prepared for leadership” and deserves re-election in the June 20, 2026 governorship poll.
Tinubu spoke on Tuesday at the All Progressives Congress, APC, mega rally held at the Ekitiparapo Pavilion in Ado-Ekiti. The 12,000-capacity venue was filled by party faithful and political allies from other parties who turned out to support Oyebanji’s re-election bid.
The President was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Shettima, speaking for Tinubu, applauded Ekiti citizens for their support for the party and said the state is fortunate to have Oyebanji at this time.
“Governor Oyebanji is a man who understands the nitty gritty of leadership. He believes you have to be in good accord with the farmers, traders, students and even the downtrodden as a leader. He has carried himself with humility and lead with patience. He came prepared for governance,” Shettima said.
“I came to Ekiti recently to commission some projects. I saw one of the longest flyovers in the country in Ekiti, which attested to the fact that he had served you well. His being in good terms with all the past governors and political leaders showed how beneficial his leadership has been.
“I have gone round, I didn’t see the posters of any opposition standing. This attested to his acceptability and inclusivity spirit. On Saturday, go out and re-elect this humble and peaceful man to further serve you better,” he added.
In a symbolic gesture, Tinubu handed Oyebanji over to former governors and first ladies present and urged them to work to deliver victory for him.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio described Oyebanji as peaceful, humble and gender-friendly, adding that his performance has resonated across the country.
“Governor Oyebanji is trustworthy, he is a good performer and gender friendly. The market women, traders, traditional rulers, students have all said so. He is the most parliamentary friendly governor in Nigeria. On Saturday, don’t sit back at home. Go out and vote for him,” Akpabio said.
Chairman of the APC National Campaign Council and Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, said Oyebanji’s popularity is “electrifying” and that he surpassed previous governors in education, workers’ welfare, transportation, human capital development, and road construction.
Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, said the party’s visibility across the state attested to Oyebanji’s acceptability.
APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, said the party would win “not on the basis of APC being the ruling party, but on the pedestal of the governor’s robust connection to the populace”.
Governor Oyebanji, flanked by his wife, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, and Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye, said he was banking on performance and fidelity to the social contract signed with Ekiti people in 2022, not federal might.
He urged residents to remain peaceful on election day and assured that his second term would be more remarkable than his first three and a half years.
Former Governor and PDP leader, Chief Ayodele Fayose, who spoke at the rally as an opposition leader, said he was backing Oyebanji because of his unification spirit. He urged the governor to remain magnanimous and keep uniting Ekiti people.
Other dignitaries included Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin; Governors Monday Okpebholo of Edo, Usman Ododo of Kogi, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Babagana Zulum of Borno, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, Douye Diri of Bayelsa, Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo, and Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos.
Also present were former governors Gboyega Oyetola, Niyi Adebayo, Kayode Fayemi, Segun Oni, and Ayodele Fayose; former Ekiti First Lady, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; APC National Secretary, Senator Bashiru Ajibola; Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele; Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake; Senators Yemi Adaramodu and Cyril Fasuyi, among others.
