The Director General, Bureau of Community Communications, Mary Omotosho has dismissed speculations that the growing wave of endorsements for Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s re-election in 2026 governorship election in Ekiti state was induced or politically motivated.
The DG emphasized that the wave of endorsements across the state were driven by Governor Oyebanji’s impactful, people-centered governance and genuine love for Ekiti people.
Addressing newsmen in Ado-Ekiti on Monday, Omotosho, who doubles as a member of the Central Planning Committee of the BAO/MCA State-Wide Endorsement, stressed that it is a testament to the unique bond that the governor shares with Ekiti people.
Her words: “We can attribute this to the unique bond that the governor shares with the people. It’s a grassroots development drive with the people at the grassroots, his availability and accessibility. We can attribute all these to the love, the massive support that Ekiti people have been showing him. Apart from the fact that he is delivering good governance and dividends of democracy, the people are amazed at the level at which people are coming out in their numbers to openly, publicly declare their love for Governor Oyebanji.
“Groups, associations, professional bodies that would not come out openly to identify with any government or any governor’s bid for second term are now coming out to show their love, to show their support, to show solidarity. All the groups and associations that have come out did not just come out one day, they did not just resolve to come out suddenly. This love is not sudden, it’s a love that has been built over time since the governor came into power.
“So, during the 100 days in office, you could see different groups, different stakeholders, different professional bodies with their comments when the governor engaged them. During his 200 days in office, you could see the same love, 300 days, one year in office and two years in office, because the governor engages them from time to time. He carries them along in every step of the way.
“Every decision that has been made in this government, the governor did not make the decision alone. Every policy that has been made in this government, the governor did not make it alone without the input of the stakeholders from all the sectors of the economy of Ekiti state. They have this sense of belonging, they feel they are very well included and have taken ownership of this government That is what a lot of people do not understand, especially those who are political about this, who think that the endorsements were bought or paid for.
“This is love that is gradually built on trust for Governor Oyebanji because he is available for them, accessible for them, engages them, listens to them and meets with them. He created multiple channels of feedback for them. The people own Governor Oyebanji and he knows that the people owns him. In every steps he takes, he considers the people first. These are groups that would not come out openly or ordinarily to endorse but they just want to show love.”
Reacting to speculations that the governor lacks the structures that would re-elect him for second term, the DG dismissed the notion saying that the people of the state are his structures and are solidly behind his re-election ambition.
She said: “There is nothing like anxiety or apprehension. When INEC announced the date of the election, the people that owned the government were sending congratulatory messages. A government that has not performed will be apprehensive, confused, overreact and become very anxious to do certain things.
“From day one, Governor Oyebanji understands the assignment, he understands the need to serve the people and he has been serving the people. The time for reward is 2026 and the people are showing us that.
“When people are talking about structures that he doesn’t have structures, no politician has any structure. As a government, the people should be your structure. The people of Ekiti State are the structure of Governor Oyebanji and that is the confidence.”