Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State and former Governor Ayodele Fayose on Monday called on residents of the state to support President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid ahead of the January 2027 presidential election.
They spoke in Ikere-Ekiti during a political rally where a former Peoples Democratic Party House of Representatives candidate, Henrich Akomolafe, and his supporters moved to the All Progressives Congress.
The rally took place as political activities begin to gather pace before the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti and the 2027 presidential poll.
Oyebanji, who is the APC candidate in the upcoming governorship election, urged party members and residents to work towards delivering 600,000 votes for Tinubu in the state.
He said Tinubu’s return to office would allow him to continue the economic policies introduced during his first term and bring more development to Ekiti and the country.
The governor asked residents to collect their Permanent Voter Cards and begin door-to-door mobilisation across communities.
He also appealed for peaceful conduct during the election period, noting that his campaign had slowed down due to the fasting season observed by Muslims and Christians.
He urged supporters to avoid violence and respond to political attacks through votes.
Fayose, who belongs to the PDP, said he stood by his decision to support Oyebanji’s administration. He pledged to mobilise support for Tinubu’s reelection despite being in the opposition party. He said both Tinubu and Oyebanji had performed well and expressed confidence that voters in Ekiti would reward them in the coming elections. He also described Oyebanji as a leader who had united political interests in the state and improved Tinubu’s chances ahead of 2027.
Akomolafe, who defected from the PDP to the APC at the event, said his decision was based on the achievements of the current administration in Ekiti. He stated that the performance of the APC government in the state convinced him and his followers to join the ruling party.
Also present at the rally were Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye, Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly Adeoye Aribasoye, Ikere Local Government Chairman Olu Adamolekun, Ikere LCDA Chairman Rufus Olorunfemi, commissioners, special advisers and other party leaders. A representative of the APC State Chairman, Jide Awe, welcomed the new members and said more opposition figures were expected to join the party in the state.
The gathering forms part of wider mobilisation efforts by political parties as preparations continue for the Ekiti governorship election and the 2027 presidential race.