Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, on Friday appealed to Ekiti residents to support and pray for President Bola Tinubu and his administration to ensure the successful implementation of reforms aimed at improving the lives of Nigerians.
Oyebanji said the president’s economic reforms, though initially painful, were necessary to reposition the country and free it from the grip of individuals he described as holding Nigeria “by the jugular.”
The governor spoke in Ado Ekiti during an inter-faith thanksgiving service to mark the first working day of 2026. He also assured residents that governance and service delivery in the state would not be disrupted by electioneering activities ahead of the June 20 governorship election.
Oyebanji, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the election, said he and his party were committed to conducting their campaign in line with the rules, expressing confidence that his administration’s performance over the past three years would earn him a second term in office.
According to him, recent indicators showed that the president’s policies were beginning to yield positive results.
“When you have a leader who is prepared, sincere and means well for the people, the country will move forward. A policy may be tough initially, but these are necessary things we have to go through,” he said.
He added that the economy was rebounding, the naira had stabilised, fuel prices were declining and inflation was easing, urging Nigerians to continue to encourage and pray for the president.
The governor described 2026 as a year of “unlimited opportunities” for Ekiti State and charged political office holders to work diligently as stewards of the people by managing the state’s resources responsibly to ensure inclusive development.
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In his sermon, the Ekiti State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Revd Emmanuel Aribasoye, urged the governor to remain faithful to the covenant that brought him into office and to continue to uphold his reputation as a servant of the people.
Also speaking, the State Qareeb Missioner, Alhaji Abdul-Hakeem Afenifere, advised the governor and other political leaders to shun ingratitude and lack of contentment, and to show compassion to the less privileged, reminding them that power is transient and that leaders would ultimately give account of their stewardship.
Dignitaries at the service included the Deputy Governor, Mrs Monisade Afuye; the First Lady, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji; the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye; the Chief Judge, Justice Adekanye Ogunmoye; and a member of the House of Representatives representing Ekiti South Federal Constituency I, Adeniyi Ojuawo.
Others in attendance were the Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Adejimi Adu-Alagbado, state lawmakers, labour and trade union leaders, heads of institutions, local government chairmen, political appointees, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil servants and members of the public.