President Bola Tinubu has urged residents of Ekiti State to return Governor Biodun Oyebanji to office for a second term, citing the developmental progress recorded under his administration since 2022.
The President made the appeal on Tuesday in Ado Ekiti during the commissioning of a 1.2-kilometre flyover constructed by the state government and named in his honour. Tinubu was represented at the event by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Earlier in the day, the President also participated in the groundbreaking ceremony of the Ekiti Knowledge Zone, a state-backed technology and digital innovation hub, as well as the inauguration of the zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Addressing attendees at the flyover inauguration, Tinubu called on voters to support Oyebanji in the June 20 governorship election.
“We are in the electoral season, and less than two weeks from now, there will be an election here in Ekiti State. Omoluabi is on the ticket, Oyebanji is on the ticket. I urge you all to vote for him,” he said.
The President commended Oyebanji for what he described as the transformation of Ekiti within three and a half years, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting the state’s development efforts.
He described the flyover as “another promise kept by Governor Oyebanji and a testimony to his commitment to the people of the state, made possible by my administration’s commitment to ensuring that states get more resources from the federal purse.”
According to Tinubu, the project joins several others executed by the governor and demonstrates that “the APC is the party that assures the people of result-oriented governance and improved standard of living both at the state level and national level.”
The President maintained that the governor had earned another mandate through policies, programmes and infrastructure projects that have positively impacted residents, adding that the forthcoming election offers citizens an opportunity to reward his performance.
In his remarks, Oyebanji expressed gratitude to Tinubu for the support his administration has received from the Federal Government, attributing much of the state’s achievements to that backing.
He said, “We want to thank Mr President for the support he has given to us as a state government. Whatever achievements we might have achieved in Ekiti State close to four years now, after God, the glory and all accolades should go to Mr President for his support.
“In appreciation of the people to Mr President for his support, this flyover is named Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Flyover, and we make a pledge to Mr President that as a state and as a people, we shall continue to support him and we shall continue to stand by his party.”
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The Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, also spoke at the event, saying the removal of fuel subsidy by the Tinubu administration had improved fiscal stability, enabled regular salary payments and increased remittances to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
He, however, called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to address insecurity across the country.
The ceremony, held at the Ajilosun-Ijigbo section of the flyover, attracted several dignitaries, including Ondo State Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, former Ekiti State Governor Segun Oni, Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye, and officials from the Presidency led by the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Ibrahim Kabir Masari.
Speaking earlier during the groundbreaking of the Ekiti Knowledge Zone, Tinubu praised Oyebanji for sustaining the vision behind the initiative, which he said “has a good prognosis of becoming a viable Nigerian hub of innovations, research and skill development in the future.”
Describing Ekiti as a centre of academic excellence, the President said the project had the potential to unlock the talents of Nigerians through innovation and technology-driven growth.
He further commended the governor’s leadership style and his ability to build partnerships that have helped position Ekiti as a model state.
Tinubu characterised the Ekiti Knowledge Zone as a landmark project and noted that it aligns with Singapore’s development philosophy that education and technological advancement are key drivers of economic growth.