Residents of Emure Ekiti have been urged to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and remain committed to the re-election bid of Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji ahead of the forthcoming governorship election.

The call was made by Erelu Tosin Aluko during a strategic grassroots engagement aimed at strengthening support for the governor and increasing voter participation across the community.

Speaking during the visit, Aluko said the growing support being enjoyed by Governor Oyebanji across various communities was a reflection of the administration’s impactful projects and people-oriented policies.

She highlighted the government’s interventions in key sectors, including healthcare, education, road infrastructure, youth empowerment, agriculture, and social investment programmes, noting that these initiatives have continued to improve the welfare of residents across the state.

She also charged party members and supporters to intensify door-to-door mobilization efforts, engage eligible voters, and create awareness on the importance of PVC collection ahead of the election.

According to her, the forthcoming poll offers the people of Ekiti another opportunity to consolidate on the achievements recorded under the Oyebanji administration and attract more developmental projects to their communities.

The engagement also provided an avenue for direct interaction with residents of Emure Ekiti, who expressed appreciation for the governor’s inclusive style of governance and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting his second-term aspiration.

… As Gov discloses plan to boost security with 1,000 forest rangers

Farmers in Ekiti State, under the aegis of All Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (AFAN) have donated a sum of five million naira to the re-election campaign of the state Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, citing the need for continuity of his positive dosposition to agriculture developement as well as developments in other critical sectors of the economy for their decision.

The farmers made the donation during an engagement with the Governor at the Conference Hall of the Governor’s office, Ado- Ekiti on Monday also assured the Governor that no fewer than fifty thousand farmers will vote to re- elect him in the June 20 election as a way of demonstrating their appreciation and backing for his administration.

Speaking on behalf of the farmers, the National Vice President (Youth) and the State Chairman of AFAN, Chief Tunde Adeyemi and Mr Sunday Adekogbon respectively, cited the Governor Oyebanji’s tractorization programme, subsidized farm inputs, rural roads rehabilitation and construction as well as empowerment programme as some of the reasons for supporting his re-election.

The farmers said the Oyebanji administration from inception has been treating farmers like kings, having prioritized agribusiness development which has repositioned agriculture from subsistence level to an investment-driven venture.

“As stakeholders in the agricultural sector, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting your administration’s vision. Together, we can strengthen food security, empower young people through agriculture, create employment opportunities, attract investment, and position Ekiti State as one of Nigeria’s leading agricultural states.”

While describing the Governor as one of the most progressive subnational agricultural models in Nigeria through his deliberate policies, strategic investments, and consistent engagement with farmers, the farmers said Oyebanji has been able to turn the state into a reference point for agricultural development, food security advancement, and rural transformation.

The farmers also expressed their appreciation for Governor Oyebanji’s aggressive rural road infrastructure with particular emphasis to the construction and rehabilitation of the Aba-Ibadan-Igbara-Odo Road and the Agamo-Ipere-Iludun Road which have provided direct access to farms and significantly eased movement of farm inputs, equipment, and harvested produce to and from the farms.

Governor Oyebanji in his response, expressed deep appreciation for the farmers’ financial support for his re-election bid and assured them that his administration will not relent in its efforts to reposition the sector as a pathway to job and wealth creation.

“What is happening today is a bit shocking to me and I get emotional when things like this happen because ideally, it should be people like us that should be supporting you, but when farmers congregate together and donate money to a cause, it speaks volume and I really want to thanks and say God bless you.

“Things like this impose a lot of responsibility on me to ensure that I continue to do those things that are pleasing to God and to you.” The Governor added.

Disclosing some of his plans and policies aimed at further boosting agriculture in the state, Governor Oyebanji said his administration was at the verge of employing 1,000 forest rangers in the drive to provide adequate and effective security for farmers to enable them function in secure environment as well as put a stop to threat of banditry and cattle grazing of farms.

He added that his government is executing a 1,000km rural road upgrades targeting farming communities in the drive to connect remote agricultural areas and help reduce post-harvest losses and boost grassroots economy.

Oyebanji also commended President Bola Tinubu for providing necessary resources and infrastructure to boost food security and empower young farmers noting that the federal funding has been critical in scaling agribusiness, clearing lands, and attracting youths back to farming in Ekiti State.

“The rural roads that we are doing we’ve only done like 135 kilometres, we have awarded close to 400 kilometres, we are going to 1,000 kilometres. Before I came here we also had another approval from Islamic Development Bank for rural roads totalling over 600 kilometres, so by the time we do that we’ll have done, upgraded and put asphalt on nearly all the farms roads in the state.

“The other one we are doing that is very important to you is to secure the environment, and that is why we got the agro rangers, and very soon we are going to put on the field 1,000 forest rangers just to ensure, because you need to function in a secure environment and you realize that the rates of banditry, cattle grazing on farms has gone down a bit. He stated.

Also at the event were the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Habibat Adubiaro, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade, Chief of Staff, Mr Niyi Adebayo among others.

…As Gov promises More impactful Second term

Ahead of the June 20 Governorship election in Ekiti State, Muslim Leaders across the 16 local government areas of the State have pledged to mobilize and deliver no fewer than 150,000 votes for the re-election of Governor Biodun Oyebanji for a second term, citing his inclusive style of governance, commitment to the welfare of citizens and for championing religious harmony in the state for their decision.

The Muslim leaders disclosed this on Sunday during an engagement with the Governor at the residence of the Chief Imam and President-General of the League of Imams and Alfas in Southwest, Edo and Delta States, Sheik (Dr) jamiu Kewulere Bello.

The meeting was attended by Sheikh Bello, President Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji (Dr) Ahmed Bakare; members of the Supreme Council, Chief Imams from the 16 local government areas of the state, as well as representatives of the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisation (NACOMYO).

Speaking on behalf of the Muslim community, Sheik Bello commended Governor Oyebanji for carrying all segments of the state along in governance, describing him as a leader who has demonstrated fairness, humility and a genuine commitment to the development of Ekiti State without discrimination on religion or political affiliation.

The President-General noted that Governor Oyebanji’s outstanding performance in office is a reflection of his sound upbringing, vast experience and proper political tutelage. He described him as a well-prepared leader who understands the demands of governance, stressing that his impressive achievements across various sectors had earned him the confidence of the Muslim community.

He assured the Governor of full support by Muslims to ensure he gets a second term in office.

Also in his remarks, the President Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Ahmed Bakare, said the Muslim community had never had it so good in the state. He noted that over 50 Muslims currently hold various positions in the current administration, describing the gesture as unprecedented in the history of the state and a clear reflection of fairness and inclusion.

Also in their separate remarks, the Chief Imams of Ansar -ur-deen in Ado Ekiti Sheik Abdulai Mutoib and the Coordinator of NACOMYO, Mudasiru Yusulf said the Muslim Community has already identified over 150,000 Muslims with valid voter cards and have already set up a machinery to track and ensure they vote for the Governor as a demonstration of their appreciation for the Governor’s inclusive governance style, people-oriented policies and programmes.

In his response, Governor Oyebanji expressed appreciation to the Muslim community for their prayers, loyalty and support for his administration. He said the purpose of his visit was not to canvass for votes, but to convey his appreciation to them and seek continued prayers for the success of his administration and the forthcoming election.

Governor Oyebanji said contrary to the belief that second term governors often underperform, he said he intends to deliver more impactful projects and programme across sectors in his second term would deliver even more impactful projects and programmes.

He urged the Muslim faithful to continue to support his administration’s efforts in building a more prosperous and united Ekiti State for the present and future generations, adding that his government remains committed to sustaining peace, religious harmony and inclusive governance.

“My coming here today is not to canvass for vote because I know you Will vote for me, I am here for three reasons: First, is to come and thank you, second is to come and seek for your prayers, and the third is that I don’t want to take you for granted, I see all you are doing and I know you are ready for the election but that doesn’t not mean I should now take you for granted.

“From what the Alfa said that there is this fear, which is genuine, that most Governors when elected for second term will believe they are not contesting again and might not perform well, but whoever knows there is tomorrow will not do that. Second term is the most critical, it is better to serve once and leave than to mess up in the second term”, the Governor asserted.

Also present at the event were, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Habibat Adubiaro, Commissioner for Regional Development and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Dr Kareem Makanjuola, Special Adviser on Tertiary Education, Prof Akeem Azeez, Permanent Secretary, Governor’s Office, Mr Taju Adejumo, among others.