By Ayodele Abere
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Dr. Wole Oluyede, has promised to rehabilitate township roads across the state’s 16 local government areas within his first 100 days in office if elected on June 20, 2026 governorship election.
Oluyede made the pledge on Saturday at a PDP mega rally in Ado-Ekiti, where he also unveiled plans to prioritise healthcare, commercial agriculture, and wealth creation to revive the state’s economy.
The rally was attended by prominent PDP leaders, including Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who travelled from Abuja to campaign for the party’s candidate.
Addressing supporters, Oluyede said local government autonomy would drive grassroots development and improve service delivery.
“We don’t need potholes at every 10 feet. We will make sure we resurface all township roads in the first 100 days. We need local government chairmen who can perform and deliver development to the people,” he said.
The PDP candidate identified wealth creation as a major challenge, arguing that successive administrations had relied on public service employment instead of building a productive economy.
“One of the major problems of our state is that we have not created wealth in the last 30 years. All we have been doing is employing people into public service. We need to create wealth and help our farmers engage in commercial agriculture,” Oluyede said.
He said improving agricultural productivity would increase household incomes, strengthen local businesses, and boost government revenue. He also promised reforms in the health sector, citing inadequate equipment, poor maintenance, and weak financing in many public hospitals.
The PDP flag bearer faulted Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s recent visit to President Bola Tinubu, saying the President’s Democracy Day address acknowledged national security challenges but did not mention victims of the Eda Oniyo abductions. He said the omission suggested the governor had not adequately highlighted their plight.
He urged residents to vote out the current administration and support the PDP’s bid for what he called more responsive and compassionate leadership.
PDP deputy governorship candidate, Deji Ogunsakin, also criticised the Oyebanji administration over insecurity, referencing the Eda Oniyo abductions and noting that some victims remained in captivity more than 45 days after the incident.
Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan described Oluyede as the most qualified candidate in the race. She said she served on the PDP screening committee and was impressed by his competence.
“From the moment I met him during the screening process, I found him to be the most qualified. He answered questions calmly and intelligently. He is cool, calm and collected, and I believe health, education and agriculture will receive priority attention under his administration,” she said.
The senator said her visit was also motivated by her commitment to women, youths, and the Ebira community in Ekiti, many of whom she said contribute to the state’s agricultural sector.
“The future of any society is tied to the quality of leaders elected. Vote for the candidate you can entrust with your future and the future of your children,” she told voters.
Party leaders, women groups, youth organisations, and supporters from across the state attended the rally and expressed confidence in the PDP’s chances in the June 20 election.
