2027: Oyebanji sets 80% Ekiti vote target for Tinubu

2027: Oyebanji sets 80% Ekiti vote target for Tinubu

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, on Thursday called on leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress in the state to intensify grassroots mobilisation for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in the January 2027 presidential election.

Oyebanji, who gave a minimum target of securing 80 per cent of registered voters’ support for Tinubu, urged party stakeholders to strengthen their engagement with voters, particularly those who remained undecided, as part of efforts to mobilise support for the President’s re-election bid.

Oyebanji spoke on Thursday at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, Ado-Ekiti, during the inauguration of the Ekiti State chapter of the PBAT (President Bola Tinubu) Door-to-Door Movement convened by Niger Delta Leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, and the presentation of 25 campaign vehicles by the movement to support grassroots mobilisation across the state.

Oyebanji expressed appreciation to the convener and members of the movement for their commitment to the President’s re-election campaign, assuring them that their investment in Ekiti State would be matched by sustained mobilisation efforts.

He said, “This is a big challenge to us in Ekiti State. If someone from the Niger Delta can put up this structure, and as of today, they have visited 19 states and are still going to visit other states before the end of the campaign, then I challenge all of us here to support the President with our votes in January.”

The governor urged APC members “to work collectively and take the campaign to every community. Victory at the polls will depend largely on direct engagement with voters at the grassroots.”

He also warned against voter apathy, particularly among eligible voters who possessed Permanent Voter Cards but failed to participate in previous elections, urging campaigners to “identify such voters, engage them personally and encourage them to turn out on election day.”

Oyebanji challenged APC stakeholders in the state to demonstrate their appreciation for the support Ekiti had received from the Tinubu administration by mobilising support for the President in the forthcoming election.

He said, “The Federal Government’s support has contributed to his administration’s development efforts. Continued cooperation between the state and federal governments remains important to sustaining ongoing projects and programmes.”

Oyebanji

The governor recalled the APC’s performance in the last governorship election, urging party members to sustain their mobilisation efforts and translate their support at the state level into votes for President Tinubu in January 2027.

He said, “Ekiti should aim for at least 80 per cent of registered voters’ support for the President. The target is a challenge to party leaders and members in view of the Federal Government’s support for the state.

“I have always said that in our 30 years as a state, there has been no President who has been as fair and supportive to Ekiti as President Tinubu.

“We are extremely grateful, and we assure you that your investment in Ekiti State will not be in vain. I assure you that Ekiti will perform well and record an outstanding result in January.

“We are grateful for your visit and support, and we assure you that the vehicles will be deployed in a manner that will also support the work we are doing here,” the governor said.

Earlier, the convener of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, Chief Ekpemupolo, said “The donation of the 25 vehicles is intended to strengthen the movement’s grassroots mobilisation and extend its campaign message to communities across Ekiti State and other parts of the country.”

Ekpemupolo, who was represented by the Grand Patron of the PBAT Door To Door Movement, High Chief Kestin Pondi, called on Nigerians to support Tinubu for a second term, arguing that “the Tinubu administration needs more time to consolidate its economic reforms and achieve its objectives.

“The reforms have improved the capacity of state governments to meet financial obligations, including the payment of workers’ salaries and pensions, as well as the execution of development projects.”

Ekpemukolo cited projects being undertaken in Ekiti State as evidence of the resources available to the government, attributing the development to the economic reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration.

He added that governors in the 19 states visited by the movement had similarly highlighted the impact of the reforms on their ability to meet financial obligations and implement projects, arguing that far-reaching economic reforms required time to deliver their full benefits and called for continuity to consolidate the policies.

The convener also challenged candidates of other political parties seeking public office to explain how their programmes would improve the lives of Nigerians compared with the policies being implemented by the Tinubu administration.

He urged the APC leadership at the federal, state and local government levels to foster cooperation and ensure that the donated vehicles were effectively deployed for the movement’s activities.

Among dignitaries at the event were the Deputy Governor, Mrs Monisade Afuye; Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye; members of the House of Assembly; APC State Chairman, Sola Eleshin; and party stakeholders from the 16 local government areas of the state, among others.