VP Shettima, Akpabio, Governors Attend Oyebanji’s Second-Term Mega Rally in Ado-Ekiti
The All Progressives Congress (APC) held its grand-finale rally today at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion in Ado-Ekiti. The event served as the party’s final campaign push for Governor Biodun Oyebanji and...
The All Progressives Congress (APC) held its grand-finale rally today at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion in Ado-Ekiti. The event served as the party’s final campaign push for Governor Biodun Oyebanji and his running mate, Mrs Monisade Afuye, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
Ahead of the rally, the Governor and his campaign team had visited all the wards and consulted widely with various groups and sectors. He appears to enjoy broad support from both the elite and the grassroots.
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, where he declared that Governor Biodun Oyebanji came solidly prepared for leadership and earned a second term through his excellent performance.
Also in attendance were the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda; and at least eight governors elected on the platform of the APC, including those of Kaduna, Borno, Lagos, Ogun, Edo, Imo, and Kogi, who are on the ground.
The governors who accompanied the Vice President included Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Usman Ododo (Kogi), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Babagana Umara Zulum (Borno), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe) and Douye Diri (Bayelsa).
Governor Biodun Oyebanji, in his speech, urged party members to maintain peace and unity, stressing that internal cohesion is essential to sustaining the APC’s leadership in Ekiti State.
He reminded party faithful that the contest for the ticket happened within “the same family”, adding, “As far as I am concerned, I hold no grudge against anyone.”
Seeking support from his fellow party members, Oyebanji instructed his supporters to refrain from using abusive songs or insults against former rivals, declaring, “As we move towards the primary election, the party is one — no winner, no loser.”
The Governor noted that while every citizen has a right to aspire to the office of the governor, “it is God who puts one in power,” and famously added, “my aspiration is not worth the blood of any Ekiti man.”
The APC Ekiti State Governorship Election Committee, led by Governor Uba Sani, announced a target of over 500,000 votes for Governor Oyebanji in the polls on Saturday.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji for his exceptional performance and humility. He praised the governor as a peaceful, gender-friendly leader whose unification spirit and ingenuity in delivering developmental projects resonated nationwide.
A major highlight at the rally was the consensus affirmation by Party leaders and 885 delegates from across all 16 local government areas, who formally adopted a motion affirming Oyebanji’s candidacy, describing his first-term administration as a template for stability and development.
Vice President, Senator Shettima, had earlier visited the palace of the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Dr Adeyemo Adejugbe, for a courtesy visit. He also held a parley with Ekiti traditional rulers in the state at the Lady Jibowu Hall, Government House, before proceeding to the pavilion for the rally.
The visit marks VP Shettima’s second visit to Ekiti State within one week. The Vice President was in the state last week to turn the sod for the Ekiti Knowledge Zone (EKZ) and commission the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Flyover, one of the legacy projects of Governor Biodun Oyebanji.
The Mood in Ado-Ekiti Town
Beyond the mega-rally venue, residents of Ado-Ekiti went about their normal business, largely unaffected by the political event at the Ekiti Pavilion. Unlike in the past, when such an event would have dominated the entire state capital, it was business as usual in the town.
The Pavilion was packed with party faithful, with crowds spilling into nearby streets. However, the main road from Iyin-Ekiti remained open. Posters of Governor Oyebanji and his deputy, Mrs Afuye, lined billboards and trees along major roads.
The economic climate was evident both at the mega-rally venue and across the town. There were few souvenirs, although party faithful wore matching branded Ankara fabric. Rather than large billboards, the Governor’s campaign committee used smaller poster-sized campaign materials across the state.
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