I will break jinx of back-to-back re-election in Ekiti – Governor Oyebanji

• Says election not won on social media
  

By Jude Opara, Abuja

The governor of Ekiti state, Abiodun Oyebanji on Wednesday said he needs the support of all the stakeholders to break the jinx of back-to-back re-election in the politics of the state.

Governor Oyebanji also used the opportunity to charge his opponents to tell the people of the state what they intend to do for them instead of using propaganda to discredit him because, elections are not won on social media.

He spoke in Abuja after submitting his expression of interest and nomination forms for the 2026 governorship election to the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“I am ready to break the jinx of re-election in the state, and with the support of the good people of Ekiti, including all the leaders who are gathered here today, we will break that jinx. Our good works will speak for us and I am sure we have done so well to get the nod of our people for a second term in office”.

The governor who gave himself a pass mark said he has done so well to deserve a reaction by ensuring that his campaign manifestos including the completing the projects of his predecessor, former Governor Kayode Fayemi were completed.

“We campaigned on the mantra of continuity and prosperity for Ekiti people. We have been concluding all the quality projects of former Governor Kayode Fayemi.

“I believe strongly that we will make people to be productive. We have provided quality infrastructure that will enhance productivity and we will continue to encourage those who will have such dreams for our state. The workforce has to be enabled, we have been paying workers as at when due, including health workers. We are bringing back trust in governance and people know that when I make promise, I fulfill it”.

However the governor admitted that his administration needs to do more in the area of education, with a firm promise to pay more attention to it id given the opportunity to serve a second term.

“I must admit that we may not have made our expectations in the education sector. We have resolved to focus more in the education sector, more emphasis would be laid on innovation and service delivery”.

On the position of the opponents who are claiming that he has not done well, the governor said there is no polling unit in the social media.

He equally debunked the insinuations that he was joining former Governor Fayemi to the coalition African Democratic Congress (ADC), adding that he is sure that the former governor has not done him that he was leaving the APC.

“As at last count, Governor Fayemi has not informed me that he is joining the ADC. The ADC has become an anathema which politicians use to bring down the opponents. All former governors of the state are backing me and the president. All lawmakers, all party stakeholders, labour union are all supporting us.

Don’t believe in propaganda, Ekiti people did not elect me to spread propaganda”.

Also speaking, Leader of the Senate, Bamidele Opeyemi said Governor Oyebanji is being encouraged by every well meaning citizen of Ekiti state.

Opeyemi said regardless of what the opposition are saying, the people of Ekiti are united in their support for the governor to emerge as the next governor of the state.

He said a visit to the state will convince anybody that Governor Oyebanji has sincerely done so well in ensuring human capital development, adding that he is being backed by all the former governors regardless of the political party they belong to.

According to him, Ekiti state has always been divided between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the APC.

“Today, Governor Ayo Fayose has thrown his weight behind the governor and his erstwhile opponent, Senator Biodun Olujimi has already joined the APC and working for the re-election of the governor, so you can see that all the critical stakeholders of the state are solidly behind Governor Oyebanji”.