Ekiti State governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has charged members and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to be alive to their responsibilities of galvanising support for the party ahead of 2026 governorship election in the state.
The governor charged the party faithful that if they fail to brace up for the task ahead, God would raise non-political groups to take their place.
He also appealed to party supporters to embrace peace and avoid any form of violence as political activities heighten.
Oyebanji gave the charge in Ado Ekiti at an event where members of Ekiti State University (EKSU) Alumni Association formally presented the APC expression of interest and nomination forms to him as part of their support for the Governor’s re-election bid in the June 2026 poll.
The presentation of the forms came barely four days after the Alumni Association under the aegis of EKSU Alumni Solidarity Group for BAO purchased the forms at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.
Leaders of the Alumni association said the gesture was driven by the outstanding performance of the governor which they would like him to re-enact in his second term in office.
The governor said, “This is a wakeup call for me and other politicians that people are watching us; they are watching our conduct and it is a wakeup call to APC members that there are other alternative platforms of support. Even when the people decide to act otherwise, God will raise His own army.
“On behalf of myself and my wife who is also a member of this association, I am extremely grateful to the alumni association, the EKSU Alumni Solidarity Group for BAO and to those that contributed and are still contributing. Let me assure you my brothers and sisters, I will continue to make you proud and the government will continue to provide an enabling environment for the university to do better.”
The governor said that he was not unmindful of some political elements’ agenda to disturb the peace of the state as well as discredit the efforts of the Federal Government in the state.
He said Ekiti people are not ingrates and that his achievements were enough to defeat opponents.
While urging party members not to retaliate when provoked, noting that opponents might resort to lies and provocations to incite conflict, he said, “This is an emotional moment for me, but before I end my speech, let me appeal to all our party members that they should please be at peace with everyone.
“I am aware that politics is on, they are going to annoy you, lie about you, do a lot of things, don’t fight with anybody. We need peace in this state. What they are trying to do is to draw you out for a fight so that you can make them popular. They cannot take us out on our performance.”
