Ekiti: Oyebanji celebrates re-election victory, promises dividends for every household

n n

Oyebanji

n

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has described his re-election for a second term as a humbling vote of confidence from the people, pledging

n

In a statement issued after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him winner of Saturday’s governorship election, Oyebanji said the people of Ekiti had overwhelmingly endorsed continuity, stability and development.

n

He expressed gratitude to residents for delivering what he described as a historic mandate, noting that the outcome reflected the collective aspirations of the people.

n

“The voice of the people has reverberated from every part of our great state, and the message is clear.

n

“I am deeply humbled by the scale of this victory. Securing a clean sweep across all 16 local government areas and 85 per cent of the popular vote is a humbling vote of confidence from Ekiti Kete.

n

“From our urban centres to our most remote communities, you have spoken with one thunderous voice for continuous development, stability and a future of endless opportunities,” he said.

n

The governor pledged to use the renewed mandate to further expand the reach of governance and improve the lives of residents across the state.

n

“This mandate means that our work must touch every household even deeper. There are no winners or losers today; there is only one united Ekiti determined to continue its journey of upward mobility.

n

“I pledge to honour this immense trust by continuing to lead with humility, dedication and fairness,” Oyebanji added.

n

The Independent National Electoral Commission’s Returning Officer, Prof. Adenike Oladiji, announced the result at about 3:13 a.m. on Sunday, declaring Oyebanji winner after he secured 319,224 votes in the election conducted across the state’s 16 local government areas.

n

According to Oladiji, who is the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Oluwole Oluyede, polled 40,543 votes, while Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress garnered 12,872 votes.

n

She added that 384,940 voters were accredited for the election, with 375,777 valid votes recorded and 6,332 rejected ballots, bringing the total votes cast to 382,109.

n

The election, which was largely peaceful, concluded a closely watched contest marked by reports of technical challenges and allegations of irregularities in some locations.

n n