Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has called for a peaceful conduct of the June 20 governorship election, stating unequivocally that his re-election bid does not justify the bloodshed of any citizen. The All Progressives Congress (APC) flagbearer made this known during campaign rallies at Emure, Ise/Orun, and Ikere Local Government Areas as part of his ongoing statewide engagement with citizens and stakeholders ahead of the poll.
Governor Oyebanji emphasized his firm stance against violent and bloody electioneering, urging members of his party to remain calm, work diligently, and respond to the opposition with a decisive victory on June 20. He noted that since the commencement of his statewide citizens' engagements and campaign tour on Monday, there have been no reports of violence, and he wants the momentum of peaceful conduct and issue-based campaigns sustained throughout the election period until results are declared.
Earlier in the day, at Emure Ekiti, his first port of call, Oyebanji appealed to APC members, members of other political parties, and all citizens and residents to avoid any act that could lead to loss of lives at the poll. He specifically stressed that his quest for a second term should not come at the expense of human lives, as he hopes to secure a historic re-election under an atmosphere of peace and harmony, for which the state has been known under his watch.
Demonstrating statesmanship that prioritizes the welfare of his people, Oyebanji reiterated the readiness of his party and its teeming members to adhere to peace before, during, and after the election to ensure a successful poll. He said, “As we go back to our wards and polling units, let us be at peace with one another. The APC is a party of peace, a party of order, and a party of process. We should not fight with anybody. We started the campaign on Monday and we have not had problems anywhere, and that speaks to our party’s love for peace and unity. Our ambition, my ambition, and the ambition of every other person in Ekiti State are not worth the blood of any Ekiti man. By God’s grace, this election will hold, and we will all be alive and in good health when our government is re-elected. All of us shall have our share in the prosperity it will bring.”
During the Ikere rally, the Governor commended Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, praising her steadfastness, loyalty, and role as a good ambassador of the town and a co-pilot in the success story of the administration. He highlighted his administration’s projects in Ikere, including the Ikere-Igbara Odo Road, Ikere-Ilawe Road, agricultural projects, Moshood Road, and the Ikere-Akure Highway executed by the President Bola Tinubu Administration, as reasons for the people to retain APC in power at both state and federal levels.
Oyebanji urged party members to embark on aggressive membership drive and mobilization by engaging eligible voters with voter’s cards to achieve the minimum target of 500,000 winning vote tally. Speaking in Emure Ekiti and Ise Ekiti, the Governor called on party leaders and members to work on non-party members and other citizens with voter’s cards, as the APC hopes to secure 80 percent of the votes of registered voters in the local government areas.
Several leaders and members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) joined the APC at the Emure rally, citing the Governor’s popularity and the impact of his administration on the lives of the people. Oyebanji expressed happiness with the appreciation shown by the people of Emure for projects delivered in the town, including roads, schools, youth in commercial agriculture, and security of lives and property, adding that the people of the state are benefiting from key projects executed by the Tinubu Administration.
He said, “As you all know, APC is a party of peace, law, and order, and we desire a peaceful election. My (second term) ambition is not worth the blood of any Ekiti man or woman. Let us be at peace with ourselves. I have absolute confidence in the ability of Emure electorates to vote wisely and vote for our party. APC is the only party that can give prosperity, peace, employment, and amenities that make life easier for our people. The journey from Akure to Ikere now takes less than thirty minutes because of the work done on the road through President Tinubu. Ikere-Emure Road has been done, and the only thing we can do to make our President happy is to vote for his party because APC is the only party that can give prosperity, peace, and employment. Let us sustain that and ensure the continuity of good things. The target we set for our party is 177–0. We are expecting nothing less than 80% of the total registered voters. Let us go back to our wards and units to canvass for votes. If you vote for us, you have voted for progress and development.”
Addressing the rally in Ise Ekiti, the Governor assured that work would soon commence on the Ise-Ijan Road to boost transport, commerce, agriculture, and connect the local government area with other parts of the state. He further disclosed the intention of his administration to commence work on the Olowe Museum to boost arts, culture, and tourism in the ancient town and its environs. Describing Ise/Orun as critical to the success of the APC in the governorship poll, Oyebanji said the good work done in the council area since coming to office should galvanize residents to cast their votes for the ruling party.
The Governor urged the people of the state to vote for the APC in both the governorship election and the presidential election because of the positive impact on citizens' lives in terms of policies and projects executed so far. All the spokespersons of the towns visited pledged massive delivery of votes in favor of the Governor and his party in appreciation of the benefits reaped from his administration. During the tour, the Governor paid courtesy visits to the palaces of traditional rulers, who all prayed for the realization of his second term ambition and commended him for living up to expectation since assumption of office in 2022.
