The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has called for more electoral participations by Ekiti electorate to shore up votes that will be delivered for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the January, 2026 presidential election.
Particularly, Governor Oyebanji appealed to Ikere Ekiti voters, the second largest town in the state, to increase their participations better than they did during the June 20, 2026 governorship poll when only 20,000 cumulative votes were recorded, out of the 70,000 voting strength registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission in the Council.
Oyebanji gave the appeal in Ikere Ekiti, on Saturday, during the 2026 edition of the Annual Odun Oba Festival, held at the Palace of Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti and Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado.
The governor, represented by his Deputy, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, said President Tinubu has raised the bar of infrastructures and appointments for Ekiti in clear departure from was witnessed since the advent of democracy in 1999, saying the President deserves being supported by the citizens to appreciate his impactful patronage.
Oyebanji stated that Ekiti has one of the highest appointments among the states in the southwest, disclosing that the 600,000 vote tally set by the All Progressives Congress was practicable, if all registered citizens troop out to participate in voting in the impending poll.
Expressing regret over perennial vote apathy in the state, the governor said the trend could constitute a great undoing to any state in terms of federal presence, which he said makes it is imperative for voters to change their perception and vote massively for President Tinubu in the forthcoming election.
“Going by our registration in Ikere Local Government, a total of 70,000 were recorded by INEC, but only 20,000 voted in the last governorship election. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been fair to Ikere Ekiti and Ekiti State in terms of appointments and projects.
“If we want more federal presence, it is our votes that will speak for us. Let us come out and vote massively for the President in the 2027 election. He deserves our votes and we should have the mindset that we will benefit more if he continues in office.
” I want to appreciate you for your support for him in 2023. I plead with you, let us do more in 2027 to appreciate his love for Ekiti. If you look at the juicy appointments he gave to Ekiti, other states are envious of us. This is a fact we must realise and protect”.
Speaking against the backdrop of acrimony witnessed in Ikere Ekiti during the last governorship election, Oyebanji urged the citizens to close ranks and partner his government to bring development to the town.
“You can’t continue to fight yourselves over election. We have conducted the election and a winner had emerged. Let us work together. We won’t benefit anything in crisis. It is only love and unity that can bring benefit to all of us. Let us put that election behind us”.
Governor Oyebanji promised to sustain huge investments in the Arts , Culture and Tourism that can boost the Internally Generated Revenue and develop the economy at the grassroots level.
Oyebanji saluted Oba Adu Alagbado for being a good custodian of tradition, customs and culture of his people, saying the Odun Oba Annual Festival is gradually assuming a dimension of national status considering the pace at which the festival was being prosecuted annually.
Speaking at the occasion, Oba Adu Alagbado called for vigilance to buoy security, while preaching against internet fraud that can tarnish the image of the town and Ekiti in general, describing advanced fee fraud as a grievous offence that threatens morality and corporate image of a country.
The monarch applauded well meaning Ikere indigenes, particularly Chief Wole Olanipekun(SAN), Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede and the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Barrister Ola Olukoyede, for standing firmly with his vision to develop the town through self sponsored projects that can add value and modern touches as well as revamp the town’s local economy.
The traditional ruler commended President Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji for their special affection for his town in terms of projects and for appointing many of his subjects to serve at the state and national levels, urging those who had benefited from this benevolence to serve with unflinching loyalty and uphold the ethos of Omoluabi for which Ekiti was renowned and respected.
“I use this opportunity to appeal to our people to keep and maintain the peace. More developments are coming and we will need land. We should be ready to make sacrifices toward the development and security of this kingdom.
“I implore our people to be vigilant and security conscious, because the price of continuous safety and security is eternal vigilance”.