- Allays fears about leaving APC
From Cyril Mbah, Abuja.
All roads leading to the National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were closed to traffic by security agencies on Wednesday while a carnival setting was established at the premises of the party when Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji of Ekiti State returned his completed Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to the party sealing speculations about whether he would contest the state governorship election slated for July, 2026 under the party.
A large canopy with a sitting capacity of more than 200 persons was erected at the Secretariat early in the week for the auspicious event which stood out as the first ever indoor carnival rally organised for the submission of forms by any aspirant.
Governor Oyebanji arrived the Secretariat at about 1pm for the event which commenced by 3.30pm although it was slated to start by 2pm and he was ushered into the office of the APC National Organizing Secretary, Alhaji Sulaiman Muhammed Argungu by talking drums, dancers, excited praise singers and party officials.
The governor was accompanied by Ekiti State top government officials, senior party leaders, state and federal legislators, local government chairmen, supporters, and stakeholders, including the Leader of the Senate, Senator Bamidele Opeyemi, who was among the people that thronged the Secretariat in solidarity with the governor.
Addressing the crowd of supporters, the Ekiti governor, who personally handed over his APC Governorship Nomination and Expression of Interest forms to top officials at the Party’s National Secretariat, promised to do more for the people during his second term in office.
In a brief interaction with newsmen, Governor Oyebanji said his reelection cannit be in doubt adding that he would break the jinx of one tenure governorship by winning the coming election because the people as well as former governors of the state are solidly behind him.
He also promised to improve the infrastructure on the state and embark on more empowerment projects fir the people in his second term adding, “I want to be remembered as one leader who makes promises and fulfills what he promised. I have never contemplated leaving the APC to ADC.”
Governor Oyebanji said: “When we campaigned three years ago, it was on the mantra of continuity for shared prosperity — building on the work of past administrations and creating an ecosystem that delivers prosperity to our people. In less than three years, we have achieved close to 80% completion of inherited projects, because these projects belong to the people and were funded with public resources.
“We have also created conditions for productivity. A people who are not productive cannot prosper. So, we put in place the building blocks for productivity — infrastructure, electricity, and healthcare. For example, more than 60 communities that had been in darkness for nearly two decades have now been connected to the grid.
“We believe strongly that productivity also requires a robust healthcare system. From primary to tertiary levels, we have upgraded facilities across the state. We also ensure parity in remuneration, paying doctors and health workers at state level what their federal counterparts earn, while also keeping up with gratuities and pensions.
“Beyond infrastructure and welfare, we are reforming the workforce to restore trust in government. Trust in leadership is critical, and I want to be remembered as a governor who kept his promises.
Governor Oyebanji also dismissed criticisms of his administration’s performance by some governorship aspirants stating also that it would have been surprising for his critics to praise him while also aspiring to replace him.
He said what matters at this moment are the votes of the people who are solidly behind him and not the criticism of opponents on social media, adding that since all local government chairmen in the state, all the state commissioners and lawmakers escorted him to Abuja, it was a demonstration that he enjoys the support of the people.
Leader of the Senate, Senator Bamidele Opeyemi in a brief remark assured that the people are in support of the governor and he also dismissed criticisms of the administration by those seeking to replace him.
“Our governor has delivered on infrastructure, human capital development, and stability. All stakeholders in Ekiti — past governors, current and former lawmakers, and leaders across party lines — are on the same page with him.
“This is the first time we are seeing such broad consensus. We look forward to the primaries on October 27, and by the grace of God, we will welcome you all to Ekiti to see firsthand the progress that has been made.”
