Some leaders and governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have congratulated Governor Biodun Oyebanji over his landslide victory in Saturday’s election, which saw him defeat other contestants.
Oyebanji trounced his closest contender, Dr. Wole Oluyede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with 319,224 votes to 40,543, while his African Democratic Congress (ADC) counterpart, Mr. Dare Bejide, scored 12,872 votes.
In his congratulatory message, the Leader of the Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, felicitated Oyebanji and the APC, describing the victory as a clear endorsement of his leadership and governance record.
In a statement issued by the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs to the Senate Leader and made available to New Telegraph on Sunday, Bamidele, who chaired the APC Governorship Election Campaign Council in Ekiti State, said Oyebanji’s renewed mandate would guarantee continuity in delivering impactful governance and accelerate development across the state. He described the victory as “a signpost for a better, brighter and greater Ekiti.”
Bamidele said Oyebanji’s leadership had fostered peace, unity, and stability in Ekiti State, transforming the political landscape from one previously characterised by division and hostility to one defined by cooperation and synergy in governance.
According to him, one of the governor’s most remarkable achievements has been his ability to unite political leaders and stakeholders across party lines, creating a shared vision for the state’s advancement.
He particularly commended Oyebanji for building strong relationships with former governors and other influential political figures, describing the level of harmony and unity of purpose among the state’s leaders as a rare feat in Nigeria’s political environment.
He explained that the outcome of the election “perfectly reflects the confidence of the people in Oyebanji’s leadership, commitment to public governance, and dedication to the welfare and prosperity of Ekiti people.”
“Oyebanji’s approach to governance and politics significantly contributed to his re-election. He has made history in Ekiti State as the first governor to be re-elected back-to-back since 1999, a testament to his leadership style and his ability to unite stakeholders across party lines,” he said.
Bamidele expressed optimism that the governor’s second term would consolidate ongoing reforms, deepen development initiatives, and further position Ekiti State as a model of good governance and political stability in the country.
He also thanked the people of Ekiti State for their peaceful conduct before, during, and after the election, and for demonstrating faith in democracy through active participation in the electoral process.
He further appreciated the national and state leadership of the APC for providing a strong platform and support that contributed to the total votes of 319,224 secured by the governor compared to 40,543 by his closest rival.
In his remarks, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said he was convinced that Governor Oyebanji would win a second term convincingly, noting that “the percentage of victory is almost 90 per cent.”
“I rejoice with him. I rejoice with the good people of Ekiti State. I rejoice with the All Progressives Congress, particularly our National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, our President, and all the good people of Nigeria.
“This is democracy at work. The process was fair, transparent, and peaceful. We saw the turnout of people, and we commend the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting a credible election.
“We also commend the law enforcement agencies because there was no incident of violence. Everything went very well,” he said.
Governor Sanwo-Olu added that the election was an indication of what future elections could look like, expressing optimism about Nigeria’s democratic progress.
Governor Hope Uzodimma said Nigeria’s democracy continues to grow steadily, with notable achievements across various sectors.
“As a party, we are delighted with the outcome of this election. We congratulate Governor Biodun Oyebanji on this remarkable victory, which is a clear testament to his outstanding performance in Ekiti State,” he said.
He also congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership and commended the massive turnout of supporters across the state.
“This victory is a strong endorsement of the progress we are making. We are proud as a party and as Progressive Governors that good governance remains the hallmark of the APC,” he said.
Uzodimma prayed for divine wisdom and strength for Governor Oyebanji to continue delivering quality leadership and development to the people of Ekiti State, adding that all glory belongs to God.
