Oyebanji Presents Certificate of Return to Tinubu, Promises 700,000 Votes for President in 2027
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, on Wednesday projected that the state would deliver between 600,000 and 700,000 votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general election, expressing confidence that the target is achievable due to the growing electoral support for the ruling APC in the state.
Speaking with journalists at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, after meeting President Tinubu, Governor Oyebanji, who was accompanied by the Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, said the steady rise in the APC’s electoral performance since 2022 demonstrates that the President’s re-election prospects in Ekiti are very promising.
The governor, who recently secured a historic second term in office, noted that the APC won about 187,000 votes in the 2022 governorship election, increased the tally to about 210,000 votes in the 2023 presidential election, and recorded approximately 318,000 votes in the just-concluded 2026 governorship election.
“The President’s chances are very bright. In 2022, when we first contested, we won with about 187,000 votes. Six months later, when the President contested and I had only been in office for a few months, we increased it to about 210,000 votes.
“This 2026 governorship election has produced about 318,000 votes. From that, you can see that our target in 2027 is between 600,000 and 700,000 votes, and it is achievable,” he said.
Governor Oyebanji attributed his unprecedented re-election victory—the first by any governor in Ekiti State—to the grace of God and the support of President Tinubu, saying both factors enabled his administration to fulfil its promises to the people.
“It is not about what I have done differently. It is about two factors: the grace of God and the support of the President, which enabled us to deliver on our promises to our people. These are the two factors that led to the result we witnessed,” he stated.
The governor also pledged to run a more inclusive administration during his second term, stressing that governance must now take precedence over politics.
He disclosed that he had already reached out to his major opponents after the election, revealing that he personally called both candidates and, alongside the chairman of his campaign council, visited one of them. He added that he would visit the other candidate upon his return to Ekiti.
According to him, both opposition candidates assured him of their cooperation in the interest of the state’s development.
“The election ended when the winner was declared. I phoned the two other candidates and, together with the chairman of the campaign council, we visited one of them. Once I return to Ekiti, I will visit the other one.
“They have assured me of their cooperation because the election is over, politics has ended, and we must now focus on governance. I told them I would need their wisdom, suggestions, and advice to ensure we continue delivering for our people,” he said.
Speaking on his agenda for a second term, Governor Oyebanji reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to implementing Ekiti State’s 30-year Development Plan, describing it as the blueprint guiding government policies, annual budgets, and development priorities.
“We are not going to do anything differently because the 30-year Development Plan is the foundation upon which our annual budgets are built and our manifesto is crafted. We will continue to diligently implement that plan,” he said.
The governor also expressed support for the establishment of state police, saying governors across the country were prepared to fast-track its implementation once the necessary constitutional amendments are completed.
He explained that the National Economic Council had already deliberated on the issue and that most states had submitted their positions in support of the initiative.
“We are ready for state police. We appreciate the National Assembly for the constitutional amendments, and we are waiting for them to be transmitted to the State Houses of Assembly.
“The governors have resolved to give the amendments speedy approval so that implementation can commence,” Oyebanji added.