Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has called for the re-election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for Ekiti State, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, for a second term in office ahead of Saturday’s gubernatorial election.
The Vice President made the call during the grand finale of the Governor’s re-election in the state capital, Ado-Ekiti.
He told the people of the state that the joint ticket of Governor Oyebanji and his deputy, Mrs. Monisade Afuye, is a ticket of balance, experience, and continuity that deserves renewal.
VP Shettima noted that instead of a routine contest in Saturday’s Governorship poll, Ekiti is standing at the gate of a larger Nigerian journey.
VP Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu at the mega rally, maintained that continuity for Governor Oyebanji is an investment in the peace, progress, and future of the state.
Joined at the rally by Governors elected under the platform of the APC, party leaders, National Assembly members and Ministers, among others, the Vice President said:
“The task before you is simple, sacred, and historic. Go out and vote. Speak to your neighbours. Speak to your families. Speak to your wards, your unions, your communities, and your friends. Tell them that continuity in Ekiti is not a favour to one man. It is an investment in the peace, progress, and future of this state.
“And so I ask you, sons and daughters of this proud land, to march to the polling units in your numbers and cast your votes for Biodun Oyebanji and his worthy Deputy, Mrs. Monisade Afuye. Give them the mandate to finish the work they have so faithfully begun. Stand with them as steadfastly as they have stood with you.”
VP Shettima noted that the mammoth crowd that gathered at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, venue of the mega rally in Ado Ekiti, is an indication that the people of the state are together with the APC and the government at the centre, in the journey to make Nigeria better.
He extended the goodwill of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that Ekiti State remains dear to the government.
Drumming support for Governor Oyebanji and his deputy, he said, rather than approaching leadership as a theatre, the Governor understands that “government must touch the market woman, the teacher, the civil servant, the farmer, the student, the driver, the trader, and the family waiting for hope at the end of each month.”
The Vice President stated that Governor Oyebanji has shown dedication to the welfare of Ekiti people, carried himself with humility, governed with patience, and listened with respect, while working “with the calm strength of a man who knows that power is a loan from the people.”
VP Shettima promised that the President Tinubu-led Nigerian Government will work hand in hand with the Governor, his deputy, and the people of Ekiti “to deepen development, expand opportunity, support enterprise, strengthen security, and widen the road to shared prosperity.”
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, described Oyebanji “as the most friendly parliamentary Governor in Nigeria,” stating that he has performed excellently and deserves to be reelected by the people of the state.
Similarly, APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, said the Governor’s style of leadership exemplifies the true philosophy of what the APC stands for.
He applauded the Governor’s achievements in education, health services delivery and infrastructure development, saying “I saw the roads that you have constructed; take a bow and take your votes.”
Earlier, Governor Oyebanji thanked President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for their support towards the progress and development of the state since they assumed office in 2023.
Oyebanji, who expressed gratitude to the people of Ekiti for entrusting him with their mandate, appealed to them to shun all forms of violence before, during and after the June 20 gubernatorial election in the state.
Homage
Before proceeding to the venue of the mega rally, the Vice President paid homage to the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, where he thanked the royal father, saying he not merely a presentation of the antiquity but a symbol of Ekiti people’s heritage.
He urged the citizens to come out enmass for the election.
The VP also urged the traditional rulers to join hands with the governor for the development of Ekiti State, citing federal appointments the state has benefited under the Tinubu administration.
The Ewi of Ado Ekiti expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for their efforts to boost the education sector, including the establishment of NelFund, which he said has assisted many Ekiti indigenes.
The Traditional ruler also noted that the Tinubu administration has done a lot in terms of transport infrastructure, citing the Lagos – Calabar coastal road and other trunk A roads across the country as a testament to infrastructural development in the country.
The Vice President also met with members of the Ekiti State Traditional Rulers Council at Government House, where he assured them of President Tinubu’s support for the traditional institution.
The Chairman of the Council and the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Adu Adejimi Alagbado, thanked Vice President Shettima for coming back to Ekiti, saying it is an indication of the love Mr. President has shown to the state.
Noting that the Tinubu administration has benefited Ekiti people, he pledged the support of all the traditional rulers to the administration and to ensure that the Governor and the President are reelected for a second term.
 governorship candidate..){kind=link}