The All Progressives Congress (APC), various political stakeholders, and non-partisan groups converged to endorse President Bola Tinubu and Governor Biodun Oyebanji for second terms in their respective offices.
The political leaders endorsed Tinubu and Oyebanji at a gathering in Ekiti State yesterday.
The event, held at the expansive Ekiti Parapo Pavilion in Ado-Ekiti, saw the endorsement extended not only to Oyebanji but also to his Deputy, Monisade Afuye.
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Several prominent figures took to the podium, offering glowing commendations for both Tinubu and Oyebanji before backing their re-election bids for the 2027 presidential and 2026 Ekiti gubernatorial elections.
Among these heavyweights were Ondo State Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa, former Ekiti Governors Niyi Adebayo, Ayodele Fayose, and Segun Oni, alongside Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele.
The sprawling Ekitiparapo Pavilion, situated along Ado-Iyin Road, was filled to capacity, with a diverse assembly of politicians, artisans, traders, teachers, and other community groups thronging the venue to partake in the statewide endorsement.
The ruling APC also saw its ranks swell, marked by the high-profile defection of Senator Biodun Olujimi, a former Senate Minority Leader and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
She was joined by Obafemi Adewale, a former Ekiti State Attorney General, and Babatunde Omolayo, a member of the State Assembly, along with their numerous supporters.
Bamidele, flanked by both serving and past National Assembly members from Ekiti, moved the motion for Tinubu’s second term endorsement, which was seconded by House of Representatives member Femi Bamisile.
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Subsequently, a letter communicating the President’s endorsement was presented to the APC National Secretary, Senator Bashiru Ajibola.
In a parallel display of support, the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye, accompanied by members of the 7th Assembly, moved the motion for Oyebanji’s second term.
The motion received unanimous ratification from the enthusiastic crowd after being seconded by Deputy Speaker Bolaji Olagbaju.
A visibly ecstatic Oyebanji addressed the gathering, expressing his profound gratitude for the vote of confidence.
He stated that the endorsements would further fuel his administration’s drive for accelerated development across the state.
He added that he was deeply moved by the convergence of political luminaries affirming his re-election.
In a rare display of political sportsmanship, Oyebanji affirmed that the endorsements would not curtail any individual’s right to contest for the governorship within the APC.
He emphasised that the Nigerian constitution upholds such rights.
He sent a strong message to the opposition, declaring that Ekiti would remain loyal to the APC and would not abandon it for any other party.
He assured that the state would increase its voting strength in support of President Tinubu.
Ayedatiwa, in an address filled with praise for Oyebanji, predicted an overwhelming victory for the governor, stating that the combined forces of Tinubu and Oyebanji would elevate Ekiti’s economy to enviable heights if granted a second term.
He noted that all 23 APC governors had already endorsed Tinubu and have now come to Ekiti to reciprocate the gesture for Oyebanji.
Fayose described the event as “epochal and unique” for uniting such a wide array of political heavyweights.
He reaffirmed his unreserved support for both Tinubu and Oyebanji.
Recalling his own record of sweeping all 16 local governments in the state during his 2014 victory, Fayose expressed his desire for Oyebanji to surpass this achievement, urging attendees to support the governor’s “humility and sense of delivery.”
Lending their support, Oni and Adebayo concurred that Tinubu merited the endorsement, asserting that a “Nigeria of our dream” was progressively taking shape under the APC-led federal government.
They characterised Oyebanji as a “good and marketable product,” whose political acumen and ingenuity were successfully uniting various political factions in Ekiti, urging the state to embrace “Tinubu’s revolution.”
Bamidele articulated that the endorsements were timely and crucial for both leaders to consolidate democratic gains for Nigerians, ensuring that future generations would commend the current leadership.
He praised Tinubu and Oyebanji for their humility and ability to connect with the populace, emphasising that Tinubu’s tough decisions were made for the benefit of all Nigerians.
Receiving the endorsement letters, APC National Secretary Senator Bashiru Ajibola saluted Ekiti politicians for backing Tinubu to lead the country until 2031.
He interpreted this solidarity as a confirmation that the current APC federal government has met Nigerians’ expectations.
While acknowledging the legal requirement for a free and fair primary election for all governorship aspirants, he affirmed that the party leadership would be informed of Ekiti’s unanimous position.
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Ajibola also commended Oyebanji’s efforts in elevating governance in Ekiti to combat poverty and unemployment.
Speaking on behalf of the new APC members, Olujimi declared with confidence that Tinubu and Oyebanji would secure their second terms regardless of opposition, viewing this as the optimal path to set both Nigeria and Ekiti on a trajectory of greatness.
