The multifarious youth groups in Ekiti State have endorsed Governor Biodun Oyebanji for second term, hinging the position on the governor’s stunning performance and for prioritising policies and programmes that affect the lives of young population positively.
The youths, who gave the verdict through the Ekiti Youth Parliament, passed a vote of confidence in Governor Oyebanji, for promoting unity, peace and oneness among Ekiti indigenes, irrespective of religious and political divides, and for sacrificing personal comfort to elevate the welfare of the citizens.
The Youths took the decision in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday, during a plenary convened by the Ekiti Youth Parliament, at a programme tagged: ‘Youths Let’s Talk With BAO’, held at the Adetiloye Hall, Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State Capital.
At the plenary presided by the Speaker of the Parliament, Rt. Hon. Nathaniel Olusanya, members representing all the 26 constituencies unanimously endorses the governor to recontest in 2026 governorship poll, for his scintillating and superlative performance.
The motions for the endorsement and vote of confidence in the governor, were moved by the Leader of the Business, Hon. Oyindamola Adegoke and seconded by a member representing Gbonyin Constituency, Hon. Adekunle Ayodele.
Further espousing the reason why the youths decided to back the governor, Rt. Hon. Olusanya, praised Oyebanji for appointing many youths into strategic positions in government, while also elevating their welfare in his policies and programmes.
Rationalizing the motions further, Olusanya said: “Governor Oyebanji has appointed a lot of youths into high positions of authorities in government. By actions and deeds, he had proven to be a youth friendly governor.
“Available information also showed that Mr. Governor has paid the gratuity and pension arrears of retirees and also defrayed the backlog of salaries and deductions of workers.
“He has gone out of his ways to create the Ministries of Job and Wealth Creation. The world is fast evolving and Ekiti as a Fountain of Knowledge must move with the trend. The second Ministry, which is that of Innovation and Digital Economy was meant to launch Ekiti youths to enviable height in the digital space.
“It was apparent that this governor has diverse policies to impact positively in the lives of the youths, like encouragement of commercial farming as being demonstrated in the Northern part of Ekiti through Public Private Partnership to attract youths into farming.
“Governor Oyebanji has also created Sports Commission, that has helped to rejig the sports sector because this sector has become lucrative globally.
“The youths with highest demography of voters in Ekiti, which constitute about 70% are proud of Governor Biodun Oyebanji and we are endorsing him for a second term.
“To us, this endorsement motion is neither premature nor untimely, it is coming at the right time”, the Speaker asserted.
The Youths Parliament lauded Governor Oyebanji for the establishment of a Centre, where the young population can meet and exchange ideas in Ado Ekiti metropolis, saying this will further promote unity within the youths’ ranks.
“Since the creation of Ekiti State in 1996, we are now having Ekiti Youth/Job Creation Centre under the Ministry of Youth Development that would serve as a rendezvous for youths to meet and exchange ideas and become innovative to operate under the current economy”, he stated.
The youths also lauded the governor for creating Adire Hub using the office of the First Lady, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji and had started training thousands of youths to become self-employed, rather than scouting for non-existing white collar jobs.
“We want to encourage the governor to continue to give his best to the people of the State. He is on the right path and as long as he continues this way, his reelection in 2026 is sure and already sealed”, he said.
Responding, the Governor, represented by the Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon. Gold Adesola Adedayo, applauded the youths for their unwavering support since assumption of office, saying this has buoyed his spirit to deliver democracy dividends to the populace.
Oyebanji promised not to betray the confidence reposed in his ability and character, pledging to initiate more youth friendly programmes that will banish joblessness, poverty and neglect of the youth population from governance.