A former Governor of Ekiti State , Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has described Governor Biodun Oyebanji as a Performer and Builder of a modern Ekiti, who deserves a second term by all standards of measurement.

Fayose, who spoke on behalf of his colleague former governors, during the final leg of Governor Oyebanji’s campaign tour of local government areas, in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday, maintained that all of the former governors are behind Oyebanji’s re-election for a second term, stressing that his brilliant and captivating performance must last till 2030 in the interest of the people.

Addressing a huge crowd of All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, Fayose said he was confident that Governor Oyebanji will be victorious in the June 20 poll, adding that the Governor has no viable opponent that could pose any threat, on account of his exhilarating performance scorecard.

“I want to salute our governor, the performer, the builder and the man of the moment who has brought all of us together. I celebrate you at this moment. I am here in my capacity as part of the leaders of this state that are interested in the development of the people. This Governor never abandoned anybody and we are solidly behind him. We are with you and we will ever remain with you.

“I am not a member of APC, you all know my party. But what is good has no other name. I want Oyebanji popularly known as BAO to remain in office till 2030. He is a good leader.

“On behalf of all the former governors, I want to say that we remain with Governor Biodun Oyebanji and we want him to remain in office till 2030. We congratulate him. God bless everybody”.

Another leader of the party and former Special Adviser on Political Matters to the President, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, said it will be a shame for the party to deliver anything less than 500,000 votes to retain the governor on his seat.

According to Ojudu “The governor remains the most accessible, the most friendly, he has been the most generous to our people. In this election, the minimum we can give him is 500,000 votes. Let us thank him for the kind of change he has brought to Ekiti politics . I have told everybody that I have retired from politics, but he brought me out of retirement. He said I can’t retire.

“He has become our leader in Ekiti. He sees everybody as brothers, whether you are from Ado or Ikogosi, wherever you may come from. All of us, both at home and in the Diaspora will be around to vote for him.

“Governor Oyebanji is not a fake, he is an original Ekiti man, a solid Ekiti man and we will continue to stand by him. I want to thank him for what he has done for us in Ekiti”.

In the same fashion, the Senate Leader and Chairman of the Campaign Council, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, thanked the people for their groundswell of support, particularly the backing being offered by the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe for the current government.

Bamidele said the governor has done well in terms of performance, display of strong character, pursuit of unity and development of human capital, saying his reelection is a fine deal.

“We have a total of 1.032 million of voters in Ekiti. In 2022, Ado gave APC 23,000 votes and we are looking at 120,000 votes from Ado this time. You can know the kind of work we need to do.

“SDP in 2022 had 15,000 and PDP had 7,000. But today, we don’t have the kind of fierce opposition we had in 2022. Engr Segun Oni who contested against us then is now campaigning for BAO. The 120,000 votes expected from Ado Ekiti is doable let us work hard and deliver it”.

Overwhelmed by the quantum of support he had been garnering among the populace, Oyebanji said the party had visited all the local governments without violence, which attested to his resolve to allow free and fair election on June 20.

Oyebanji praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his fairness to the state in terms of appointments and projects, describing this as a novelty since the advent of democracy in 1999.

“Everybody in Ado Ekiti has seen what we have done. You have seen the airport we completed, the road we built, the ring road we have constructed, you can seen the flyover and the hospital we have built. All these are the projects that are speaking loudly for us.

“We have visited 15 local governments now and the support had been overwhelming and humbling. Let us work hard in this election. We have a target we must meet to appreciate President Tinubu in 2027. We must send the signal with this election.

“The total number of all APC members in Ekiti is 100,000. Go out and identify the teachers, Okada riders, traders and those who are not our members and woo them to vote for us. This is the only way we will be able to meet the standard of votes set. The fact that we didn’t witness any violence was a new order in Ekiti and the fact that we respect the fundamental rights of everybody.

“Our canvassers will begin mobilisation through door to door campaign from tomorrow. We are not going to rest until June 19 when we must have converted all the voters here in Ekiti to vote for APC”, Oyebani added.

In his submission at the political gathering, the state Chairman of the APC, Hon. Sola Elesin, who is from Ado Local Government, said the Local Government has a total of 187,000 votes across the 13 wards, saying nothing prevents the party from delivering an aggregate of 180,000 out of it.

Other leaders and stakeholders who spoke at the event lauded the governor for giving Ado Ekiti a facelift through the flyover project, revenue House, Ado Ekiti Ring Road, Ekiti State International Cargo Airport, several road projects, human capital development, promising to mobilise for his reelection on June 20.

Present at the rally were the Ekiti State First Lady, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, the Deputy Governor, Mrs Monisade Afuye, Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dr Hon Adeoye Aribasoye, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, the Chairman of the APC, Hon Sola Elesin, member of the House of Representatives, Sola Fatoba, Senator Ayo Arise, Senator Bode Ola, Prof Modupe Adelabu, among others.

Federal lawmakers from Nigeria’s South-west geopolitical zone have celebrated elder statesman and Afenifere leader, Reuben Fasoranti, on the occasion of his 100th birthday, describing him as a courageous defender of Yoruba interests and a symbol of integrity, selflessness and democratic struggle.

The lawmakers, under the platform of the National Assembly South West Caucus, also stated that Pa Fasoranti’s long-standing dream of a truly federal and equitable Nigeria is gradually becoming a reality through ongoing constitutional and governance reforms.

The caucus chairman and Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, made the remarks in a statement issued on Sunday by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs.

According to Bamidele, Fasoranti remains one of the last surviving disciples of late nationalist leader, Obafemi Awolowo, and has consistently demonstrated the Yoruba ideals of Omoluabi through honour, discipline, integrity and service to humanity.

He recalled that Fasoranti served meritoriously during the Second Republic in the administration of late Governor Adekunle Ajasin in old Ondo State, where he contributed significantly to the development of the people.

Bamidele further praised the elder statesman for standing firmly against military dictatorship after the collapse of the Second Republic and for actively supporting the struggle that eventually led to the return of democratic governance in 1999.

“Baba Fasoranti perfectly embodies the Yoruba values of Omoluabi — honour, integrity, leadership and selflessness,” the statement said.

The Senate Leader noted that despite the return to democracy, Fasoranti has remained committed to advocating for a peaceful, prosperous and fair Nigeria, while offering guidance and mentorship to leaders across the country.

He said the National Assembly is aware of the elder statesman’s desire for a more balanced federal structure and is already taking steps to strengthen governance and decentralise power.

According to him, lawmakers are working on reforms aimed at making Nigeria’s federal system more competitive, productive and efficient.

Bamidele disclosed that the proposed establishment of state police is one of the key constitutional amendments being pursued by the 10th National Assembly to address insecurity across the federation.

He expressed optimism that the initiative would become a reality within Fasoranti’s lifetime.

The Senate Leader also highlighted the establishment of regional development commissions across the country, explaining that the commissions were designed to tackle infrastructure deficits and promote economic growth in all geopolitical zones.

He added that the National Assembly has also introduced fiscal reforms to support the implementation of development-focused initiatives across the country.

Bamidele prayed for continued strength, sound health and long life for the Afenifere leader, describing his longevity and mental alertness at 100 as evidence of God’s grace and mercy.

He assured that the lawmakers remain committed to pursuing policies and reforms that would promote equity, justice and national prosperity in line with the ideals Fasoranti has championed over the years.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has recorded another political boost following the defection of a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area, Hon. Ademola Alade, to the ruling party.

Alade formally joined the APC on Sunday during a well-attended ceremony held in Awo Ward, alongside his supporters and political associates.

The event attracted party leaders, stakeholders and supporters from across the local government area, with many describing the development as a significant addition to the APC’s growing grassroots influence in the state.

Welcoming the defectors on behalf of the APC leadership in Irepodun/Ifelodun, the party Chairman, Mr Ope Ogundele, represented by the party Secretary, Hon. Ige Oladipupo, assured Alade and his supporters of equal rights and opportunities within the party.

He stated that the APC remained open to progressive-minded individuals willing to contribute to the growth and development of Ekiti State.

Speaking at the event, Alade said his decision to leave the PDP was influenced by the developmental strides of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji across the state, particularly in the areas of healthcare and infrastructure development in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area.

He cited the upgrade of the maternity centre in the area, the establishment of a new general hospital and other ongoing projects as evidence of responsive and people-oriented governance.

According to him, Governor Oyebanji’s inclusive leadership style and commitment to grassroots development convinced him to align with the APC.

The Ekiti State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun, who attended the event, described the defection as a reflection of the growing confidence residents have in the Oyebanji administration.

Olatunbosun commended the leadership of the APC in Irepodun/Ifelodun for sustaining unity within the party and urged members to remain committed to mobilising support for the government at the grassroots.

He expressed optimism that the defection of Alade and his supporters would further strengthen the APC’s structure in the local government and consolidate the party’s dominance ahead of future elections.