The Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, and his colleague in Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, have expressed delight in the victory of Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State.
Speaking at the Ekiti Government House, Uzodima said the victory of Oyebanji signalled the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and that of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
Expressing his delight about his colleague in Ekiti State’s victory, Uzodinma said the electorate still voted for the APC and its candidate massively despite the ongoing reforms that have brought hardship to the citizens.
According to him, democracy in the country is growing, with significant achievements being recorded across various sectors. He notes that the economy is becoming stronger and the political system is evolving into a more sustainable one.
His words, “As a party, we are delighted with the outcome of this election. We congratulate Governor Biodun Oyebanji on this remarkable victory, which is a clear testament to the outstanding performance he has delivered in Ekiti State.
“We also extend our congratulations to the leader of our great party and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his steadfast leadership. The massive turnout of our supporters across the state and their overwhelming support for our party reflect the confidence the people have in our government and its programmes. This victory is a strong endorsement of the progress we are making.
“We are proud as a party, proud as Progressive Governors, and proud that one of our own has demonstrated through his performance that good governance remains the hallmark of the All Progressives Congress.
“We pray that Almighty God, who granted Governor Oyebanji this resounding victory, will also grant him the wisdom, strength, and wherewithal to continue delivering quality leadership and development to the people of Ekiti State.
“Ultimately, all glory belongs to Almighty God. We also commend Nigerians for their patience, resilience, and understanding as our administration continues to address the challenges of governance under the APC.”
Similarly, Prince Dapo Abiodun described the victory of Oyebanji at the polls with about 90 percent as testament to his performance during his first term in office and the love the people have for the ruling APC.
Abiodun said: “The percentage of victory is almost 90 per cent. I rejoice with him. I rejoice with the good people of Ekiti State. I rejoice with the All Progressives Congress, particularly our National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, our President, and all the good people of Nigeria.
“This is democracy at work. The process was fair, it was transparent, and the election was peaceful. We went around yesterday, we saw the turnout of people, and we truly commend the umpires, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for conducting such a fair and transparent process.
“We also want to take this opportunity to commend the law enforcement agencies because there was no case of anybody as much as stepping on another person. I went around yesterday, and the law enforcement agencies were on top of their game. Everything went very well.
“This is an indication of what the 2027 elections would look like going forward, and we are excited about the future of our polity and Nigeria. Again, I want to congratulate Governor Oyebanji, his wife, the entire cabinet, the APC family in Ekiti State, the APC family in Nigeria, and all of you. Thank you very much.”
Also, the leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, described the victory as a clear endorsement of his leadership and governance records.
Bamidele, who chaired the APC Governorship Election Campaign Council in Ekiti State, said Oyebanji’s renewed mandate would guarantee continuity in the delivery of impactful governance and accelerate the pace of development across the state.
Bamidele said Oyebanji’s leadership has fostered peace, unity, and stability in Ekiti State, which has transformed the state’s political landscape from an era often characterised by division, hostility, and toxicity in politics to one defined by cooperation, collaboration, and synergy in driving public governance.
According to Bamidele, one of the most remarkable achievements of the governor has been his ability to unite political leaders and stakeholders across party lines, creating a shared vision for the advancement of the state.
He particularly commended Oyebanji for building strong and resilient relationships with the state’s former governors and other influential political figures, describing the level of harmony and unity of purpose among the state’s leaders as a rare feat in Nigeria’s political environment.
He explained that the outcome of the election “perfectly reflects the confidence of the people in Oyebanji’s leadership, commitment to public governance, and dedication to the welfare and prosperity of Ekiti people at large.
Oyebanji’s approach to governance and politics significantly contributed to his re-election. He made history in Ekiti State as the first governor to be re-elected back-to-back since 1999, a testament to his approach to governance and his ability to unite the state’s stakeholders across party lines.”
He expressed optimism that the governor’s second term would consolidate ongoing reforms, deepen development initiatives, and further position Ekiti State as a model of good governance and political stability in the country.
Bamidele also thanked the people of Ekiti State for their peaceful conduct before, during, and after the election and for demonstrating their faith in democracy through their active participation in the electoral process.
