Ekiti gov poll: Oyebanji hails voters, promises inclusive governance

Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji expressed deep gratitude to the state's residents for their overwhelming support, which led to his re-election in the June 20 governorship poll. The governor secured a decisive victory, winning in all 177 wards and 16 local government areas. The Independent National Electoral Commission announced Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress received 319,224 votes, significantly outperforming the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Wole Oluyede, who garnered 40,543 votes, and the African Democratic Congress candidate, Oluwadare Bejide, with 12,872 votes.

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I owe all Ekiti sons and daughters, at home and in the diaspora, a debt of gratitude for their overwhelming support and for the fresh mandate to serve for another four years. This is truly humbling, and I do not take the trust for granted.

In a statement released on Monday, Oyebanji, through his Special Adviser on Media Yinka Oyebode, extended an invitation to the PDP and ADC candidates to collaborate with him in advancing Ekiti State's prosperity. He thanked the people of Ekiti for their unified support, granting him a renewed four-year mandate and ensuring a peaceful and orderly election process across the state. The governor highlighted the election's peaceful nature as a benchmark for electoral conduct in Nigeria, attributing it to the exemplary behavior of the populace before, during, and after the three-month campaign period.

Oyebanji acknowledged his profound debt of gratitude to all Ekiti citizens, both within the state and in the diaspora, for their trust and the fresh mandate. He emphasized that this historic re-election was humbling and that he did not take the trust for granted. The governor specifically commended the people of Ekiti for their commitment to a peaceful election, free from violence, thereby setting a new standard. He also extended his appreciation to traditional rulers for fostering peace, as well as leaders of political parties and religious bodies for promoting peaceful coexistence.

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Very importantly, I thank Ekitikete for their deliberate commitment to ensuring a peaceful election, devoid of violence or bloodshed, thereby setting a new standard for electoral conduct.

The governor also thanked former governors of the state, including Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Chief Ayodele Fayose, Engr Segun Oni, and Dr Kayode Fayemi, for their support and commitment to Ekiti's unity and progress. Special recognition was given to serving and former members of the National and State Assemblies, the State Executive Council, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, and the Campaign Council led by Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele. The efforts of security agencies, including the Army, Police, and DSS, were also commended.

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Our profound appreciation goes to our traditional rulers for promoting peace in their domains, as well as to leaders of political parties and religious bodies for preaching and exemplifying peaceful coexistence.