Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has appealed to all stakeholders involved in the conduct of Saturday’s governorship election in the state to ensure peace before, during, and after the election. Addressing the people of the state in a statewide broadcast on Wednesday evening, Governor Oyebanji noted that Ekiti, under his leadership, has experienced the most peaceful election in its history. He advocated for the Saturday election and post-election activities to remain peaceful.
Call for Professionalism and Fairness
Oyebanji, who is seeking re-election on the ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), specifically tasked members of political parties, election observers, and security agencies to act professionally and conduct themselves with the highest level of decorum and fairness. The state chief executive expressed gratitude to the people of Ekiti for their support since he assumed office on October 16, 2022, stating that he owes them a debt of gratitude for the privilege to serve them over the last four years. He emphasized that he does not take the sacred trust reposed in him for granted.
Request for Renewed Mandate
Oyebanji used the opportunity to request a renewal of what he described as the “Shared Prosperity Mandate” given to him four years ago. He expressed readiness to elevate the socio-economic plans of his administration to greater heights if re-elected. According to him, given the solid foundation of economic prosperity his administration has already laid, a new mandate will witness “a higher velocity of development and fast delivery of service.”
With another four years of the Shared Prosperity mandate, the Ekiti Governor was optimistic that his administration would be able to complete all ongoing projects, entrench policy initiatives, pursue new visions, and open new frontiers of development in accordance with the state’s 30-year Development Plan.
Fulfillment of Electoral Promises
The Governor remarked that he and his administration have fulfilled electoral promises on the six-pillar development agenda, which has resulted in sound policy decisions and impactful policy actions leading to improved service delivery and orderly governance across sectors in the state. Oyebanji explained that he has remained faithful to the social contract with the people, noting that he is encouraged by the overwhelming goodwill and support he and his team have received across the state. He expressed unrelenting commitment to serving the people better if given another mandate.
He said: “As we approach the polls in a few hours, I want to humbly request that you renew the Shared Prosperity Mandate you gave us four years ago by another four years. While we are proud of the landmark achievements we have recorded in the last four years, I am very confident that with another four years of your mandate, we will be able to take the socioeconomic plans of our administration to greater heights. I want to appeal to all stakeholders, members of political parties, election observers, and security agencies to act professionally and conduct themselves with the highest level of decorum and fairness. So far, this current political electioneering has been the most peaceful in the history of our state, and we must do everything to ensure that the election and post-election activities remain peaceful.”
Gratitude to Supporters and Leaders
The Governor stated that he has moved around the state to seek the support of the electorate, including individual voters, interest groups, associations, and communities. He expressed gratitude for the large turnout of people in support of his candidature at all campaign rallies, coupled with solidarity, support, and prayers from stakeholders far and wide. He hailed the high-powered delegation of party leaders from the national level, led by President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima and National Chairman Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, who were on ground to drum support for his re-election at the final mega rally held on Tuesday.
The Governor specifically thanked President Tinubu for his invaluable support at both political and inter-governmental levels, as well as the support enjoyed by his administration, which he said has been of tremendous importance. Oyebanji also thanked the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her love for Ekiti, while also appreciating Vice President Shettima for leading the party’s grand campaign and taking the pains to visit the state twice in the last week. He equally hailed traditional rulers and religious leaders for their cooperation and support, while also expressing gratitude to workers, artisans, market men and women, and different interest groups who have remained supportive of his administration.
