Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has again restated that the June 20, 2026 governorship election must be conducted in a manner bereft of political upheaval and bloodshed, saying, “the election doesn’t worth shedding the blood of any innocent Ekiti soul.”
On why his government covets the traditional institution, Oyebanji stated that he considers the monarchs strategic partners in Ekiti’s development agenda, saluting them for their peace-building initiatives that have made the state favourably rated as one of the most investment-friendly in the country.
This came as the Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, showered encomiums on Governor Oyebanji and the traditional rulers for fostering strong synergy to promote peace and the spirit of homogeneity among Ekiti residents.
The governor spoke in Ayede Ekiti on Saturday during the unveiling of a new palace edifice and birthday ceremony organised in honour of a first-class traditional ruler and Attah of Ayede Ekiti, Abdulmumini Adebayo Orisagbemi.
Oyebanji, represented by the Deputy Governor, Monisade Afuye, posited that his government would continually revere traditional rulers and empower them to perform their roles without inhibition.
The governor enlisted the support of the monarchs for his second-term ambition, appealing to them to emplace strategies that would contain the activities of those who may want to unleash terror on the state under the facade of electioneering campaigns.
“As this election approaches, we appeal that our traditional rulers step up their peace-building strategies to prevent those who could hide under elections to unleash terror on our dear state.
“I am of the firm opinion that this election doesn’t worth the blood of any Ekiti citizen. In ensuring this, all political actors must play by the rules and put Ekiti first in all their dealings. God will help us.”
Oyebanji challenged the Ekiti electorate to embrace a paradigm shift in their electoral participation and troop out en masse in the governorship election to elect candidates of their choice, cautioning that the franchise right should be exercised rationally and justly.
“In exercising this right, let us be conscious of the fact that we must elect somebody who can represent and promote our collective interest. In the last three and a half years, Governor Biodun Oyebanji has done creditably well in elevating governance by fulfilling his electioneering promises to the people.
“Without the risk of being immodest or exaggerative, Governor Oyebanji has succeeded in setting Ekiti on a faster pace of development by not betraying the trust reposed in him. What we need now is consolidation.
“On this premise, I appeal to our people to vote massively for his reelection. This is the only way we can help ourselves and Ekiti State to develop through the instrument of continuity as enjoyed in Lagos, making the state the real Centre of Excellence in Nigeria.”
Commending Oba Orisagbemi for what he described as his “unquenchable thirst for development,” Oyebanji said the twin ceremonies underscored the fact that royal fathers are valued and venerated by the government.
Oyebanji added that monarchs, through their actions and deeds, are making significant sacrifices and personal efforts to add value to the lives of their subjects and communities.
“This mansion built by Kabiyesi will automatically add aesthetic value to this town and motivate his subjects to strive for higher attainments and make personal sacrifices to develop this town in a manner that will complement what the government is undertaking at the centre.
“Let me emphasise here that our traditional rulers perform enormous tasks and make huge sacrifices to develop and stabilise their domains. It is also a difficult task to unite people of diverse interests and secure them and their property.
“As difficult as these may seem, they work hard to complement the government and bring comfort to their subjects. I implore all Ekiti citizens to cooperate with our royal fathers in performing these difficult roles. We must refrain from actions that could disunite our towns or stoke the fire of violence and discord among the people.”
Inaugurating the project, the Ooni of Ife described the edifice as a landmark achievement in the kingdom and called on Ayede indigenes to rally round the monarch to accelerate development in the town.
Praying for Ayede Kingdom and Ekiti in general, Oba Ogunwusi eulogised Governor Oyebanji for his humility and respect for the traditional institution, as reflected in his seamless working relationship with traditional rulers.
In his remarks, the Attah of Ayede, Oba Orisagbemi, expressed the readiness of Ayede Ekiti to continually support the governor for appointing many of his subjects, including Dr. Sunday Ajeigbe Osinkolu, Rector of Ekiti State Polytechnic, Isan Ekiti, among others.
Oba Orisagbemi disclosed that he started the palace project five years ago but lost hope along the way due to financial constraints before Governor Oyebanji took over the construction and completed it in record time.
“I started the project five years ago and lost hope at a time due to financial problems. I even thought my successor would complete it. But Governor Oyebanji took over the construction and, to my surprise, changed the architectural design and delivered it in record time.
“I want to appreciate the governor for respecting the traditional institution. Before now, we knew where we were and how we were relegated. Today, God has given Ekiti Obas a saviour in Governor Oyebanji, who is looking after our welfare. We truly appreciate this and shall reward him at the appropriate time.”
He added that the palace project represents more than the construction of structures, describing it as the cultural and spiritual heartbeat of the people and a preservation of their customs, traditions, identity, and heritage.
Ekiti guber: No election worth the blood of any citizen – Oyebanji cautions politicians
