Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has promised political appointments and campaign support to aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who were unsuccessful in the party’s consensus arrangement for the forthcoming local government elections.
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Oyebanji, however, said the appointments would depend on the electoral performance of beneficiaries and recommendations from party leaders, urging unsuccessful aspirants to remain committed to the party.
Key Highlights
- Oyebanji promises political appointments to APC aspirants who lost out in the consensus arrangement.
- The governor says appointments will depend on electoral performance and recommendations from party leaders.
- A reconciliation committee will be established to resolve internal party disputes.
- The governor promises logistical support for APC campaigns across Ekiti State.
- Oyebanji declares President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 non-negotiable.
The governor gave the assurance on Sunday during a meeting with 177 APC candidates at his country home in Ikogosi, Ekiti State.
The candidates comprise chairmanship and vice-chairmanship aspirants across the state’s 16 local government areas.
Oyebanji said his administration remained committed to an inclusive political system, stressing that members who were not favoured by the consensus arrangement would not be sidelined.
“The culture of the progressives is consensus, and by the grace of God, those whom consensus did not favour will be compensated through appointments,” he said.
He added, “Appointments will be based on electoral performance and also on the recommendation of leaders.”
The governor urged candidates who emerged through consensus to reach out to other aspirants and party members who might feel aggrieved, warning that internal disagreements could undermine the party’s chances in the forthcoming elections.
To address lingering grievances, Oyebanji directed the APC State Chairman, Sola Eleshin, to constitute a reconciliation committee to engage dissatisfied members and resolve outstanding disputes.
He also promised to provide logistical support for the party’s campaigns ahead of the local government elections, urging candidates to begin mobilisation early and take their campaigns to communities across the state.
Oyebanji further declared that President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 was non-negotiable, urging APC members in Ekiti to reciprocate the President’s support for the state with electoral commitment.
APC Leaders Urge Early Mobilisation
Speaking at the meeting, party leaders commended the governor’s approach to internal party management and urged the candidates to strengthen the party’s grassroots structures ahead of the elections.
Baba Alaba Abejide said Oyebanji’s early preparations before his electoral victory should serve as a lesson to the candidates.
“Mr Governor’s early preparations made his victory at the polls possible, with a landslide margin. This serves as a charge and an example to us all: we must start early, go out into our communities, and intensify mobilisation ahead of the forthcoming Local Government Elections and the 2027 General Elections,” he said.
Similarly, former Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Karounwi Oladapo, challenged the candidates to demonstrate their political relevance through effective grassroots mobilisation and votes.
“Seek the legitimate mandate to lead your people through effective mobilisation and voting strength. Your political relevance and influence will ultimately be measured by the votes you are able to deliver,” he said.
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Chief Jide Awe described Oyebanji’s leadership as inclusive, saying it had created opportunities for members across different political tendencies to participate in the party.
“The Governor has democratised politics in Ekiti State so everyone is on board with us. We want all of us to win, and we are going to win,” he said.
Awe, however, cautioned the candidates against taking the governor’s support and goodwill for granted, urging them to make effective use of the opportunities provided by the administration.
Also speaking, Eleshin said Oyebanji’s decision to extend a hand of fellowship to opposition members had strengthened the APC’s prospects ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He urged party members to embrace new entrants and work towards expanding the party’s support base.
“We must shun unnecessary confrontations and focus our energy on building stronger alliances, expanding our support base and working together to secure even greater electoral victories with wider margins for our candidates,” he said.
The meeting ended with calls for reconciliation, party unity and early grassroots mobilisation as the APC prepares for the forthcoming local government elections and the 2027 general elections in Ekiti State.
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