DistantNews
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

Ekiti Gov Oyebanji Declared Winner Ahead of Election by APC Leaders

From The Punch · (9m ago) English Positive tone

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders declared Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has already won his re-election bid ahead of the June governorship poll.
  • The declaration was made at the flag-off of Oyebanji's second-term campaign, attended by several APC governors and former state leaders.
  • Oyebanji's running mate, Mrs Monisade Afuye, is also seeking re-election with him on the APC platform.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has signaled strong confidence in Governor Biodun Oyebanji's re-election prospects in Ekiti State. At the campaign flag-off for his second term, APC National Chairman Prof Nentawe Yilwatda boldly stated that the election is 'won ahead of time.' This declaration, made in Ado Ekiti, reflects the party's unified front and its belief in Oyebanji's performance over the past three and a half years.

Take a bow because you have won already. The election is won ahead of time.

— Prof Nentawe YilwatdaThe APC National Chairman's declaration of confidence in Governor Oyebanji's re-election.

The event itself was a powerful display of party solidarity, drawing a significant crowd of APC governors, including Hope Uzodimma, Uba Sani, and Lucky Aiyedatiwa, alongside former Ekiti State governors from various political affiliations. The presence of figures like Ayodele Fayose, a PDP chieftain, underscores Oyebanji's ability to build bridges across political divides, a quality lauded by Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele. This cross-party support, even if symbolic, highlights Oyebanji's perceived statesmanship beyond partisan politics.

We want to assure you that Governor Oyebanji will not disappoint. A vote for Oyebanji is a vote for President Bola Tinubu, who is seeking re-election in January 2027.

— Hope UzodimmaImo State Governor and chairman of the Progressive Governors' Forum, linking Oyebanji's success to the national APC agenda.

Governor Oyebanji's running mate, Mrs Monisade Afuye, is also seeking re-election, presenting a continuity narrative for the administration. The campaign promises to focus on the governor's achievements and future plans, with Bamidele vowing an issue-based campaign. The endorsement by fellow governors, particularly Uzodimma, who chairs the Progressive Governors' Forum, links Oyebanji's success to the broader agenda of President Bola Tinubu, framing the Ekiti election as a referendum on the APC's governance at the national level. From an Ekiti perspective, this show of force and unified messaging aims to consolidate support and preempt any challenges, projecting an image of an unassailable incumbent.

The reason we are here gathered celebrating Governor Oyebanji is that we are convinced that, in the last three and a half years, we have had a round peg in a round hole.

— Senator Opeyemi BamideleSenate Leader praising Governor Oyebanji's performance and leadership.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog