By National News
A major display of political support unfolded in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday as Vice President Kashim Shettima, 18 governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), 24 senators and 18 members of the House of Representatives rallied behind Governor Biodun Oyebanji ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State.
The APC’s grand finale campaign attracted thousands of party supporters from across the state’s 16 local government areas. Also in attendance were Senate President Godswill Akpabio, APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, former governors of Ekiti State and several APC governors from across the country.
Addressing supporters at the rally, Vice President Shettima described Oyebanji as a hardworking and result-driven leader whose achievements in office had earned him widespread support beyond political affiliations.
According to the Vice President, projects commissioned during his recent visit to the state reflected the governor’s commitment to development and improved infrastructure.
“You have a hardworking governor. The projects we have seen are clear evidence of his dedication to the development of Ekiti State,” Shettima said.
Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, also commended Oyebanji’s performance, stating that the APC remained firmly rooted across the state.
Uzodinma urged residents to vote for the governor’s re-election and support President Bola Tinubu, while also calling for a peaceful electoral process.
In a notable show of bipartisan goodwill, former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) praised Oyebanji’s inclusive leadership style and expressed confidence in his chances at the polls.
APC National Chairman, Prof. Yilwatda, similarly lauded the governor’s achievements and appealed to voters to reward his administration with another term in office.
Senate President Akpabio described Oyebanji as a humble, trustworthy and people-oriented leader, adding that the large turnout of political leaders at the rally underscored the governor’s popularity and performance.
“The reason we have gathered here is to support a performing governor. He is humble, trustworthy and committed to the development of Ekiti people,” Akpabio said.
He, however, cautioned supporters against complacency and urged them to turn out en masse to vote.
Responding, Governor Oyebanji thanked the people of Ekiti and APC leaders for their support, saying his administration had remained faithful to its campaign promises.
The governor maintained that his government had delivered visible projects and programmes across the state and pledged to do more if re-elected.
“We promised to serve the people diligently, and I believe we have fulfilled that promise. What we have done can be seen and touched, and we are ready to do even more,” Oyebanji said.
He urged residents to participate peacefully in the election and uphold democratic values as the state prepares to elect its next governor on June 20.
