The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, on Saturday urged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) within the state to permit peace to reign earlier than, throughout and after the 27 October major election of the get together.
Mr Oyebanji spoke on the APC Stakeholders assembly held at Iyin-Ekiti, the nation house of the primary democratic governor of the state, Adeniyi Adebayo.
He spoke towards the backdrop of the emergence of different governorship aspirants to problem within the 20 June 2026 off-cycle election within the state.
No fewer than 4 aspirants, together with the governor, have obtained the expression of curiosity and nomination kinds to slug it out for the get together’s ticket.
Mr Oyebanji instructed members of the APC to take the approaching ballot critically and present extra dedication, saying, “October 27 major election is the inspiration for the June 20, 2026 election, simply because the 2026 election is the inspiration for 2027, that’s the trajectory.
“By the grace of God and by your benevolence, I intend to interrupt the reproach and the jinx that no governor has executed back-to-back in Ekiti. One of many banes of our underdevelopment is lack of continuity,” he mentioned.
Talking on the necessity for peace amongst members no matter variations, the governor mentioned: “Let’s be taught to dwell in peace with each other, allow us to not battle ourselves. October 27 will come and there will likely be October 28 when we’re going to want all people. Those that could appear to be annoying us now, let ‘s tolerate them.
“Dissention is a democratic proper in a political get together. After we end the first, there’s a larger battle in entrance. Those that will not be with you now, after they come again we’re going to create house as a result of within the Bible, there’s a parable of the prodigal son. We might moderately have them throughout the get together than to lose them.”
In his remarks on the assembly, the speedy previous governor of the state, Kayode Fayemi, urged aggrieved get together members to sheathe their swords and assist the governor, warning that “we should not throw away the newborn with the bathtub water.”
Mr Fayemi mentioned there’s a want for the get together’s trustworthy to be absolutely dedicated and never calm down below the phantasm that the ballot has been received by Oyebanji.
He famous that elections will not be received on Twitter (X) and WhatsApp.
“October 27 is across the nook. The work we’ve to do between now and October 27, we shouldn’t be complacent. I see all these Twitter and WhatsApp politicians, saying that BAO (Mr Oyebanji) has received.
“Please, politics is going on at items and wards and never on WhatsApp. Let’s return to our wards and work in order that what we’re professing with our mouths could possibly be backed by our votes. After October 27, the work simply began.
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“We should assist our governor and go ward by ward, unit by unit to get the job executed. We’re all on the identical web page so far as that’s involved. I don’t know of any real APC individual, if you’re a real APC member, even in the event you don’t like Abayomi Oyebanji, if you’re an APC member, you possibly can’t pray that our get together loses the following election.
“On this state, besides you aren’t an APC member, if you’re, at the least you’ll let Oyebanji win first earlier than voicing your grievances,” he mentioned.
Amongst these current on the stakeholders assembly included former Governor Adebayo, chairperson and members of the state working committee of the APC, all Nationwide Meeting and State Meeting members, leaders of the get together from the three senatorial districts, amongst others.
