Oyebanji promises 90% of Ekiti votes as ex-govs, opposition unite behind Tinubu

Governor Biodun Oyebanji has described Ekiti as politically united while assuring President Bola Tinubu that the state would deliver 90 per cent of its votes to the All Progressives Congress, APC in the forthcoming presidential election.

Oyebanji said this during the APC presidential campaign attended by former Ekiti governors and opposition leaders in the state on Thursday.

The former governors, including Ayodele Fayose, Kayode Fayemi, Niyi Adebayo and Segun Oni, declared their support for Tinubu’s re-election at the APC presidential campaign rally held at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, Ado-Ekiti.

Also pledging their support were former governorship candidates in the June 20 election, including Dr Wole Oluyede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Alade Adebayo of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Mr Joseph Ayominde of the All Progressives Movement (APM).

He said the APC’s victory in the governorship election, with 87.5 per cent of the total votes, demonstrated the people’s confidence in his administration, the ruling party and Tinubu’s support for the state.

“I stand to be corrected, no President has ever shown the same level of support to Ekiti State since its creation 30 years ago as President Tinubu has done,” he said.

The governor said Tinubu had reciprocated the overwhelming support he received from Ekiti in the 2023 general election through increased federal presence, particularly in infrastructural development.

He described the victory recorded in the governorship election as a collective achievement of the APC and a reflection of the people’s appreciation of Tinubu’s leadership.

“There’s no problem in Ekiti State. We have made up our minds that come January 16, we are going to double the tally of what we did in June this year,” he said.

Earlier, Vice-President Kashim Shettima reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to fulfilling its promises to Nigerians, saying the administration had taken difficult economic decisions to reposition the country.

Shettima acknowledged the sacrifices made by Nigerians, expressing optimism that the benefits of the economic reforms would increasingly become evident.

He also disclosed that an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) experience centre had been inaugurated at the Ekiti State University with the support of the state government.

According to him, the administration is committed to ensuring that financial constraints do not prevent young Nigerians from accessing quality education.

Also speaking, the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, described Tinubu as a performer and reformer, citing the administration’s tax reforms and educational interventions as evidence of its commitment to improving the welfare of Nigerians.

Yilwatda said the new tax framework was designed to protect low-income earners and small businesses from excessive tax burdens, adding that individuals and businesses below the stipulated income threshold would benefit from tax exemptions.

He also commended the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) initiative, saying it had expanded access to higher education by providing financial assistance and monthly upkeep allowances to students. ((NAN)