OYEBANJI GREETS CHRISTIANS AT EASTER

OYEBANJI GREETS CHRISTIANS AT EASTER

...Urges prayers for peaceful guber poll

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, felicitated Christians in the State and Nigeria on the occasion of this year's Easter celebration.

The Governor, in statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, said the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ , which is the essence of the Easter celebration, remains the greatest sacrifice for the redemption of mankind, which should be cherished.

He urged Christians to emulate Christ’s virtues of humility, love, perseverance and compassion.

He implored Ekiti residents and Nigerians, especially Christians, to use the Easter celebration to seek the face of God in prayer for continuous peace, progress and prosperity in Ekiti State and Nigeria as a whole.

The Governor also solicited prayers from the people of the State and other Nigerians for a peaceful and successful conduct of the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti. 

He admonished governorship aspirants, party leaders, other politicians and their supporters to conduct themselves in a peaceful and orderly manner before, during and after the election, stressing that "Ekiti interest supercedes personal and partisan interests."

While thanking Christians in the State for their support for the administration, the Governor urged them to continue to live in peace and harmony with adherents of other religions, noting that good neighborliness, selflessness, and patience were among the lessons taught and exemplified by Jesus Christ.

He said: "I wish all the people of Ekiti State and Christians across the country and other parts of the world, Happy Easter as we celebrate God's greatest sacrifice to mankind.

"Events leading to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ were epochal in the annals of Christianity and humanity. They remind us of his virtues of sacrifice, love, harmony and peaceful coexistence among humanity.

"As Christians, this period offers us an opportunity to rethink our relationships as individuals, as communities and as a nation. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ typifies love, affection and tolerance. 

"I want to urge Christians to emulate the virtues of Jesus Christ by positively impacting the lives of friends, colleagues, associates, neighbours and family members,” the Governor added.

Ekiti Guber: Breaking succession jinx 'll end era of trial by error - Oyebanji declares*

...as Ekiti indigenes in Ondo bow to deliver over 6,000 votes for his re-election 

Ahead of the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti State, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, has declared that the implications of breaking the succession jinx in the State is to end the era of trial by error. 

Oyebanji said that the forthcoming poll is beyond victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC), but geared towards sustaining meaningful developments in line with his administration's policy trust, strategies and priorities. 

The Governor made the declaration, on Friday, in Akure, during the 2026 Ekiti Day Celebration organized in his honour by Ekiti indigenes living in Ondo State.

His words: "June 20 is not just a day of voting, it's a day that Ekiti people wants to break a jinx. You will realize that since the creation of Ekiti State, no governor has ran two terms consecutively. 

"All those things have implications for development. When there is a stoppage in government, there is a change in policy, change in strategy and change in priorities of government. So, a new government that comes will want to implement his own programs.

"If by the special grace of God and by your grace, we are able to break that jinx on June 20, that means for the first time since the creation of Ekiti State 29 years ago, we will have a government that has been running for 12 years. 

"The implications of that for policies is that once we go back, we know what we want to do. We have been in saddle for four years and we know what we have done and areas we need to improve upon. We don't have to do trial by error. That is the implication of June 20 for Ekiti people. 

"It's not about just winning an election but the culture of 10 steps forward and 30 steps backwards must stop. I'm glad that my people in Ondo State have taken this baton that enough is enough."

While thanking Ekiti indigenes in Ondo State for the honour bestowed on him and supporting his re-election ambition, the governor pleaded with them to continue to support his counterpart in Ondo State, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

"He is appreciative of your support and I plead with you that you continue to support him in all his future endeavours and to also thank you for putting your resources together to organize this program. When I got here and saw that these are people that have PVCs, I told myself that my people are ready for business."

On his part, Ondo State Governor, Hon Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, represented by the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Seun Osamaye, commended Governor Oyebanji for his impactful leadership and inclusive governance in the state. 

The Governor noted that an executive order has been given to all Ekiti indigenes in Ondo State with Ekiti PVCs to cast their votes, adding his victory at the poll will be overwhelming across the 16 local government areas. 

Earlier in his welcome address, Coordinator of Ekiti Diaspora for BAO in Ondo State, Kehinde Ojo appreciated the governor for his dedication, vision and service in driving development in the state. 

The Coordinator reaffirmed their commitment to support his re-election ambition, saying that over 6,000 Ekiti voters living in Ondo State will be mobilized for the poll. 

According to him, "Your tenure has shown dedication, vision, and service. You've led with integrity and passion, uniting Ekiti State driving development, and uplifting communities. As a leader, you have fostered unity among Ekiti people, driven progress in infrastructure, education, and healthcare, empowered communities through innovative programs.

"We applaud your efforts, especially the Christmas and New Year gifts. We reaffirm our commitment to supporting your vision. We've gathered over six thousand Ekiti indigene to come out and vote for your second term again."

In their separate goodwill messages, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Oyeniyi Adebayo, Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Chief Jide Awe, Director General, Bureau of Community Communications, Mrs Mary Omotosho, ALGON Chairman in Ekiti State, Hon Olusegun Olugbogi lauded the Ekiti indigenes in Ondo State for standing solidly behind the governor's second term.

Highlights of the auspicious occasion is an Award of Excellence bestowed on the governor for his development strides in the state, including cultural display, among others.

Ekiti Guber: We’ll Run Inclusive Campaign That’ll Deliver over 500,000 Votes, says Senate Leader

Ekiti Guber: We’ll Run Inclusive Campaign That’ll Deliver over 500,000 Votes, says Senate Leader

    

 The Senate Leader and Chairman of Ekiti State 2026 Governorship Campaign Council, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele has said that the council will run an inclusive, transparent, credible and a well-coordinated campaign strategy designed to deliver no fewer than 500,000 votes in the forthcoming governorship and presidential election.

Senate Bamidele stated this on Wednesday during the council’s meeting in Ado- Ekiti. He said the campaign would be driven by a clear structure that prioritises grassroots mobilisation and effective engagement across all strata of the electorate, ensuring that the party’s message resonate widely.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the meeting, the Senate Leader said all the six members of the House of Representative in the state have been appointed to be federal constituency coordinators in the six federal constituencies in the state.

He added that the council would adopt a focused and issue-based approach, highlighting the achievements of the current administration while presenting a forward-looking agenda to the people of the state.

Stressing that the major campaign would commence soon, the Senate Leader also disclosed that the campaign council has been carefully populated to ensure wide representation across the State and to effectively reach the grassroots.

Senator Bamidele expressed confidence in the performance of the Governor, adding that the administration’s track record would serve as a strong selling point for the campaign. assuring said the achievements recorded by the Governor would resonate with the electorate and translate into massive support at the poll .

He maintained that the strategies already put in place would not only secure victory for the Governor but also set a benchmark for campaign organisation and electoral success in the state.

“We will want to run an inclusive campaign, we will run a political campaign that will not only deliver the Governor as the candidate of the party but a campaign that will prepare the state for the subsequent elections.

“We will not only run a campaign, we are planning to run a fanfare that will also help stimulate the average voters in Ekiti State and the Governor has also emphasized on the need to run his campaign in a way that would have also prepare the people for the presidential elections, national assembly elections as well as the house of assembly election”. The senate leader asserted.

In his remarks, Governor Oyebanji said he was satisfied with the progress recorded so far by the campaign council, noting that the efforts of the council and the party’s stakeholders have laid a solid foundation for a successful election.

Commending the strategic planning and grassroots mobilisation already underway, the Governor described them as a key driver that would strengthen the party’s outreach and engagement with voters across the state.

Also speaking, the Director General of the Campaign Council, Senator Cyril Fasuyi said the target is to ensure that the Governor wins by landslide, noting that securing less than 500,000 votes for the Governorship and presidential elections would be considered below expectation

He emphasized that the campaign machinery has been structured to cover all wards and local government areas, ensuring robust mobilisation and effective voter engagement at the grassroots.

OYEBANJI CELEBRATES FORMER NIGERIAN ENVOY TO UNESCO, PROF OMOLEWA AT 85

OYEBANJI CELEBRATES FORMER NIGERIAN ENVOY TO UNESCO, PROF OMOLEWA AT 85

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has congratulated former Nigeria's Permanent Delegate and Ambassador to the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Prof Michael Omolewa on his 85th birthday.

Governor Oyebanji in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode, celebrated Prof Omolewa’s legacies and contributions to scholarship, education and diplomacy.

He noted the octogenarian scholar’s sacrifices, commitment to academic excellence in the nation's ivory towers of learning contributed to Nigeria's enviable rise as Africa's knowledge powerhouse.

The Governor said Prof Omolewa's history-making feat as the first West African to be elected as President of the General Conference of UNESCO was a remarkable milestone which Nigeria remains ever so proud of.

Describing Prof Omolewa as one of the legends of Adult Education in Nigeria, Governor Oyebanji said his efforts contributed in no small measure in making education accessible to more elderly individuals who did not have opportunities of formal education in their formative years.

He prayed God to grant Prof Omolewa more fulfilled years on the surface of the earth to continue to offer more service to Nigeria in particular and humanity in general.

“On behalf of the Government and good people of Ekiti State, I congratulate our revered academic, diplomat and elder statesman, Prof Michael Omolewa on his 85th birthday and pray that God will sustain him with good health and grace as he continues to inspire the younger generations. “, the statement added.

Ekiti Continues to Lead Subnational Transaparency and Accountability Reports

Ekiti State Government has been adjudged to be the leading state in both local government budget transparency as well as subnational audit efficacy in the new reports published by BudgIT and PLSI, respectively.

This is coming barely weeks after BudgIT reported that the State Government, under the leadership of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, maintained the top position throughout the four quarters of year 2025 in fiscal transparency.

Ekiti State, in the new BudgIT report, was rated among the top 10 states in the federation that published detailed and accessible budget information for all its Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs). 

According to the report, Ekiti stands out by providing individual 2026 budgets for all the 16 Local Government Councils and 22 LCDAs, accompanied by signed PDFs, minutes of Town Hall Consultation meetings, and NCOA-formatted Excel templates.

This approach, BudgIT says, emphasizes transparency and accountability, setting a great example for other states. 

In addition to the BudgIT report, Ekiti also came first in the just realised PLSI Subnational Audit Efficacy Index. The report shows Ekiti has successfully established the independence of the Auditor-General’s office, while also implementing the financial autonomy of the audit function. It acknowledges the effectiveness of the oversight function of the State Assembly, especially its Public Accounts Committee. 

The Biodun Oyebanji administration prioritizes citizens involvement in budget preparation. Aside its quarterly stakeholders engagements held on zonal basis, it holds a consultations across local government areas to get input into the budget preparations, it also mandates each local government to hold similar consultations ahead of their respective budget preparations. 

Details of both the state’s annual budget, and the local government’s budgets as well as government procurements are published on the state websites, in line with the accountability and transparency policy of the administration. 

Commenting on the multiple accolades, Governor Oyebanji says the administration is an open book- made available to all citizens to access. He expresses his appreciation to the people of the State for their demonstrated support and cooperation with the administration adding that the success of the administration’s fiscal policies were made possible by their cooperation. 

He says his administration will continue to promote transparency and accountability in government in addition to prioritizing the wellbeing and welfare of the people.

Signed 

Olayinka Oyebode 

Special Adviser (Media) to the Governor, Ekiti State 

01-04-2026