Political leaders, members and other stakeholders in the Ekiti South senatorial district have unanimously endorsed the governor of the state, Biodun Oyebanji and his deputy, Chief Monisade Afuye, for second term in office ahead of the 2026 governorship election in the state.
The leaders and party members took decision at a special meeting of the APC members from the 64 wards in the district, held in Ikere Ekiti, the headquarters of the senatorial district, on Monday.
They said the decision became necessary to appreciate Governor Oyebanji for elevating the face of development in the state, and for fostering cohesion and unity among political tendencies across party lines in a manner that was novel in the political history of the State.
The event was attended by the senator representing the district and Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu ; the House of Representatives’ member representing Ekiti South Federal Constituency II, Honourable Femi Bamisile and his counterpart in constituency 1, Adeniyi Ojuawo, as well as other prominent leaders in the zone.
Moving the endorsement motion, which was seconded by the chairman of Ikere council area, Olu Adamolekun, Ojuawo, premised the action on the transformative impact and exceptional leadership prowess Governor Oyebanji has demonstrated in the last two years.
“These two leaders, Governor Oyebanji and Mrs Afuye have done extremely well for Ekiti South. Therefore, we are unanimously saying they should begin to lead Ekiti till 2030 so that they can touch more lives and consolidate the democracy gains for all of us,” Ojuawo moved.
Backing the motion, Senator Adaramodu said the Oyebanji and Mrs Afuye suffered with the party while in the trenches, saying the combination remains the best to continue to pilot the affairs of the state beyond 2026.
He added that the endorsement was not misplaced on the pedestal of the governor’s superlative performance in the district through good road networks, power supply to some towns, human capital development, allotment of strong political positions and many others.
According to him, “Before now, the nine of us in the National Assembly had earlier agreed that we will allow Governor Oyebanji to rule for eight years. He is very humble, very accessible and ready to touch the lives of the people. The only thing we can do is to support him. The only agenda the south has now is to support and endorse Governor Oyebanji and Mrs Afuye for the second term.”
The Chairman, APC Elders Forum, Ekiti South, Abiodun Aluko, said the endorsement was unanimously done by party members across the 64 wards and six LGAs in the zone, saying the action was bereft of dissonances and division.
Aluko said: “We are proud of the infrastructural strides, human capital development and huge investment committed to education and agriculture, from where Ekiti South benefited. In fact, through Governor Oyebanji’s vision, our district had benefited from the healthcare facility, good road networks and youth empowerment. We appreciate this.
“We are happy with your vision in appointing our daughter, Mrs Monisade Afuye as the Deputy Governor. She understands the needs of our people. We also endorse her to continue with His Excellency for the second term that will run between 2026 and 2030.”
Aluko urged the governor to consider the district for governorship in 2030, having not been chanced to produce the governor since the advent of democracy in 1999, saying 2030 remains the most appropriate time for the zone to be considered for the plum seat in the spirit of fairness and equity.
Earlier, the APC senatorial chairman, Akindele Akinbobola, appreciated the party members for the initiative, saying the Ekiti South was proud of the character and performance displayed by Oyebanji and his deputy in the last two years.
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