…As PBAT Door-to-Door Movement inaugurates Ekiti chapter, unveils 25 campaign vehicles
Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has called on leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the January 2027 presidential election, with a target of securing 80 per cent of registered voters’ support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Governor gave the charge on Thursday at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, Ado-Ekiti, during the inauguration of the Ekiti State chapter of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement and the presentation of 25 campaign vehicles to support mobilisation across the state.
The movement, convened by Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, seeks to expand support for President Tinubu through direct engagement with voters in communities across the country.
Oyebanji expressed appreciation to the convener and members of the movement for their commitment to the President’s re-election campaign, assuring them that their investment in Ekiti would be matched with sustained mobilisation efforts.
He urged APC members to work collectively and take the campaign to every community, stressing that electoral victory would depend largely on direct engagement with voters at the grassroots.
The Governor also warned against voter apathy, particularly among eligible voters who possess Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) but failed to participate in previous elections. He urged campaigners to identify such voters, engage them personally and encourage them to turn out on election day.
Oyebanji further challenged party stakeholders to demonstrate appreciation for the support Ekiti has received from the Tinubu administration by mobilising support for the President in the forthcoming election.
He said the Federal Government’s support has contributed to his administration’s development efforts, adding that continued cooperation between the state and federal governments remains important to sustaining ongoing projects and programmes.
Recalling the APC’s performance in the last governorship election, the Governor urged party members to sustain their mobilisation efforts and translate their support at the state level into votes for President Tinubu in January 2027.
“This is a big challenge to us in Ekiti State. If someone from the Niger Delta can put up this structure, and as of today, they have visited 19 states and are still going to visit other states before the end of the campaign, then I challenge all of us here to support the President with our votes in January.
“I have always said that in our 30 years as a state, there has been no President who has been as fair and supportive to Ekiti as President Tinubu.
“We are extremely grateful, and we assure you that your investment in Ekiti State will not be in vain. I assure you that Ekiti will perform well and record an outstanding result in January. We are grateful for your visit and support, and we assure you that the vehicles will be deployed in a manner that will also support the work we are doing here,” Oyebanji said.
Earlier, the convener of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, said the donation of the 25 vehicles was intended to strengthen the movement’s grassroots mobilisation and extend its campaign message to communities across Ekiti State and other parts of the country.
Ekpemupolo, who was represented by the Grand Patron of the movement, High Chief Kestin Pondi, called on Nigerians to support President Tinubu for a second term, arguing that the administration needs more time to consolidate its economic reforms and achieve its objectives.
According to him, the reforms have improved the capacity of state governments to meet financial obligations, including payment of workers’ salaries and pensions, as well as execution of development projects.
He cited projects being undertaken in Ekiti State as evidence of improved resources available to government, attributing the development to the economic reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration.
He added that governors in the 19 states visited by the movement had similarly highlighted the impact of the reforms on their ability to meet financial obligations and implement projects. He argued that far-reaching economic reforms require time to deliver full benefits and called for continuity to consolidate the gains.
The convener also challenged political aspirants seeking public office to explain how their programmes would improve the lives of Nigerians compared with the policies being implemented by the Tinubu administration.
He urged the APC leadership at federal, state and local government levels to foster cooperation and ensure that the donated vehicles are effectively deployed for the movement’s activities.
Also present at the event were the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye; Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye; members of the House of Assembly; APC State Chairman, Barr. Sola Eleshin; and party stakeholders from the 16 local government areas of the state.
