Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, on Friday inaugurated 5,000 community canvassers to mobilise grassroots support ahead of the June 20, 2026 governorship election in the state.
The canvassers, drawn from communities across Ekiti, were unveiled at an event organised by the Ekiti State Bureau of Community Communications at the Fajuyi Pavilion in Ado‑Ekiti.
Speaking at the inauguration, Governor Oyebanji described the initiative as a historic grassroots mobilisation effort driven by voluntary support for his administration. He explained that the programme was funded by supporters rather than the government.
“This is history in the making. Since the creation of Ekiti State, a gathering of this nature has never happened,” the governor said. He commended the volunteers for organising themselves to support his administration, noting that they were motivated by conviction and belief in the government’s performance rather than party affiliation alone.
“You are not just party members; you are volunteers who have come together by conviction and by the need to continue with a government that is doing well,” he said.
The governor also emphasised the importance of accountability in a democratic system, noting that political mandates are time-bound and leaders must remain accessible to the people.
“Democracy has an expiry date. Every democratic mandate expires every four years and there is a need for renewal of that mandate. Leaders must continually engage with citizens,” he added.
Oyebanji attributed many of the achievements of his administration to the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom he described as a strong supporter of governors across the country.
According to him, modern elections require structured and data-driven mobilisation strategies rather than reliance solely on political rallies. He urged the canvassers to focus on identifying voters and engaging them directly ahead of the poll.
“What we need to do is identify voters before election day. I listened when one of the speakers said that one canvasser is going to bring in 25 voters; that is how to do it,” the governor said.
He expressed confidence that the mobilisation effort would translate into a high voter turnout, setting a target of at least 500,000 votes in the June 20 governorship election.
The governor added that such an outcome would serve as a signal of appreciation from the people of Ekiti to President Tinubu for his support to the state and would also strengthen preparations for the next presidential election.
He, however, cautioned supporters against political violence and urged aspirants and political actors in the state to conduct themselves peacefully throughout the electoral process.
Earlier in her address, the Director-General of the Bureau of Community Communications, Mary Osho Omotosho, said the canvassers were recruited from various grassroots networks including markets, faith-based organisations and professional groups.
She explained that the mobilisation effort was designed to deepen direct voter engagement through a house-to-house campaign approach.
According to her, each canvasser has been assigned to mobilise at least 25 voters, a strategy that could deliver about 125,000 votes for the governor in the election.
“These are not hired faces; these are ordinary citizens who have decided to go door to door and remind the people of Ekiti State about the impact of this administration,” she said.
Omotosho also revealed that a dedicated vote-tracking website had been created to monitor the mobilisation process.
Dignitaries at the event included the Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Monisade Afuye; Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Oyeniyi Adebayo; the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Yinka Oyebode; Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Ekiti State, Emmanuel Aribasoye; and the Chief Imam of Ado-Ekiti, Jamiu Bello.