…as APC receives PDP defectors
As the All Progressives Congress (APC) perfects its political strategies ahead of the June 20 Ekiti State Governorship Poll and the 2027 General Elections, Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has urged Ekiti people to mobilise maximum support for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu for a second term in office.
The re-election of President Tinubu for a second term, according to Governor Oyebanji, would further boost the fortunes of Ekiti State and Nigeria as a whole, adding that the President would, in his second term, have ample opportunity to consolidate the gains of the various economic reforms he has introduced, which have accelerated growth and development in the country.
Governor Oyebanji, who stated this at a rally in Ikere-Ekiti, on Monday, where a former House of Representatives Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Henrich Akomolafe, was received into the APC fold together with hundreds of his supporters, said he is confident that he will emerge victorious on account of his impressive performance and level of acceptability by the people.
He, however, urged the people of the State to double the volume of votes for President Bola Tinubu in the January 20, 2027, Presidential Poll, stressing that the era of delivering about 300,000 votes in presidential elections is no longer acceptable.
“For us to show our love and support for President Tinubu, we should target about 600,000 votes for him. This will only be possible if we all go out and get our voter cards and mobilise from house-to-house canvassing support for the President. Anything less than 600,000 votes is not good enough for us in Ekiti. So, we have a lot of work to do.
“Our votes shouldn’t be less than 600,000 in the coming governorship election to give us hope about what will happen in the presidential poll, because President Tinubu has tried for us in Ekiti.
“All that we are seeing in terms of projects today was made possible because of the support I get from President Tinubu. We can’t afford to give him 300,000 votes or fewer; we must up our game and deliver nothing less than 600,000 votes.
“To achieve this, our people should go and get their PVCs to be able to deliver massively for the party”, Oyebanji added.
At the event, attended by political heavyweights across party divides, former Governor of the State, Ayodele Fayose, who is a leading light in the PDP, said he had no regret supporting Governor Oyebanji in his effort to develop Ekiti State, adding that while he would not join the APC, he would mobilise support to ensure Oyebanji got a second term in office.
Similarly, Fayose, who said nothing could stop President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in the January 2027 polls, said he would continue to mobilise support for the President’s electoral victory.
“With or without defections, President Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji have won their elections. They have done creditably well, and Ekiti people are not ingrates. We will repay them with electoral victories.
“I have called my colleague, the former Ekiti governor, before I came here. I am here representing their interests. Governor Oyebanji has made it easier for President Tinubu to get higher votes in Ekiti in the 2027 elections. Governor Oyebanji is really an Omoluabi governor and a unifier, and we are ready to support, not minding what anyone says.
“The governor has no opposition in this coming election. But there are records to break. Nothing stops you from winning back- to -back, and winning all the wards with exceeding votes. Looking at it critically, you have locked down everywhere, especially Ado and Ikere-Ekiti. So, nobody should come here and talk about rigging. It is obvious, we have no opposition to Governor Oyebanji here in Ekiti, and Mr President has our total support in the 2027 elections”. Declared Fayose
The former governor, who is Akomolafe’s political leader, said he would continue to encourage whoever wishes to defect to the APC to back Oyebanji, and the President to do so, especially those who have value to add.
Speaking further, Governor Oyebanji explained that the electioneering campaign was being delayed because of the fasting being undertaken by Muslims and Christians across the globe.
The governor also urged APC members and candidates of other political parties to tow the path of peace during the electioneering. “Please, in this election, we don’t want bloodshed and violence. They will lie against us, but don’t worry, we will reply to them with votes”.
Governor Oyebanji assured the Akomolafe and all his supporters of unfettered access to all the rights and privileges inherent in the APC, saying the party doesn’t pander to the primordial sentiment of one being a newcomer or a decampee.
Commending Akomolafe for his political strength, Oyebanji said, “You are a practical and influential politician. You are a young man who has done well, and I am proud of you. I will surely take care of your interest, and I thank former Governor Fayose for allowing you to join us. I am grateful.
“This is the first time since I became the governor that I will receive someone into the party. If it is a winning election, I can predict that we have won. But we can’t be delivering 300,000 votes this time, we must be looking at over 600,000 votes to send a signal to President Tinubu that we are solidly behind him”.
Describing his defection as a child of necessity, the defector, Mr Henrich Akomolafe, disclosed that he was spurred to join the APC owing to the accelerated development being witnessed under the Oyebanji administration.
