By Samuel Sunday
Support groups of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Ekiti State have pledged to mobilise over 700,000 votes for his re-election, as they staged a solidarity road walk in Ado-Ekiti ahead of the presidential campaign rally scheduled for Thursday.
The road walk, organised under the APC Presidential Campaign Council’s Support Group Mobilisation Directorate, was powered by Hon. Abiodun Akinlade, the South-West Zonal Coordinator of the Tinubu support groups, and attracted party members, women groups and other supporters of the President.
South West coordinator hon Abiodun Akinlade commended the people of Ekiti State for their support for President Tinubu, describing the turnout as evidence of the President’s acceptance among residents. He also praised Governor Biodun Oyebanji for his performance in the state, noting that the Federal Government’s support had contributed to some of the developmental achievements recorded by the governor. He urged residents to come out massively during the election to support the President’s second-term ambition.
Also speaking, Hon. Shola Olofin, Chairman of the Management Board of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), convener of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Vanguard and Secretary of the APC Presidential Campaign Council in the South-West, described the road walk as a mobilisation exercise to demonstrate the readiness of support groups ahead of the presidential rally. He said the Tinubu administration had recorded notable achievements compared with previous administrations, particularly in economic reforms, education funding and local government autonomy.
Olofin cited the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as one of the administration’s interventions, saying it had provided students with financial assistance to pursue their education without being hindered by financial difficulties. He also highlighted the removal of fuel subsidy and increased allocations to state and local governments, urging citizens to hold their political office holders accountable for the effective utilisation of public funds.
In her remarks, the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Chief (Mrs.) Monisade Afuye, appreciated Governor Oyebanji, the organisers and members of the various support groups for their commitment to the President’s re-election campaign. She said Ekiti was prepared to deliver massive votes for Tinubu in the January 16 presidential election, expressing confidence in the President’s chances of securing another term.
In her remarks , the State Coordinator of City Girls Movement in Ekiti State, Dr. Habiba Yusuf Adaramola, said the road walk was organised to demonstrate the strength and readiness of the various support groups ahead of the election. She expressed confidence that the groups would work together to mobilise voters, setting a target of delivering over 700,000 votes for the President from Ekiti State.
Also addressing supporters after the exercise, Hon. Olufemi Olubamise Babafemi appreciated the participants on behalf of the National Assembly members, commending their commitment and support for the President’s re-election bid. Party members and representatives of different support organisations also participated in the solidarity walk.
