President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State on his re-election but told the opposition to rally around him.
Tinubu’s comment came in a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, who said the “resounding victory” in Saturday’s Ekiti State governorship election is “a clear vote of confidence in continuity, stability, and people-centred governance”.
“President Tinubu urges Governor Oyebanji to remain magnanimous in victory and to carry all Ekiti people along as he consolidates on his achievements in the next four years,” Onanuga’s statement read in part
“The President also commends all those who contested the election with the governor for exercising their democratic rights, saying it is now time to rally round Oyebanji in the task of taking Ekiti to the next level of governance.”
He said that the Ekiti governor’s first term was “marked by significant strides in infrastructure, agriculture, youth employment, education, healthcare, and rural development under the BAO agenda”.
“The renewed mandate is therefore a clear vote of confidence in continuity, stability, and people-centred governance,” he said.
Tinubu reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to partnering with the Ekiti State Government to deliver more dividends of democracy and accelerate the Renewed Hope Agenda across Nigeria.
He prayed for God’s wisdom, strength, and good health for Oyebanji as he continues to serve as the leader of the South-West State.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Oyebanji as the winner of the poll early Sunday, announcing that the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) got 319,224 votes to defeat his closest rivals in the contest conducted across the state’s 16 local government areas.
With his victory, Oyebanji becomes the first governor in the history of Ekiti State to win re-election back-to-back.
According to Tinubu, Saturday’s election, described as largely peaceful, was possible through the conduct of Ekiti State voters. He commended them for their orderly conduct and for reposing their trust in Governor Oyebanji.
The former Lagos governor also praised security agencies for maintaining law and order, charging INEC to continue to invest in conducting a peaceful, free, fair, and credible election as we approach the Osun governorship election in August and the general election next year.
