2027: Oyebanji urges Ekiti to vote massively for Tinubu

L-R: Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Mrs Monisade Afuye; Governor Biodun Oyebanji; and the Chancellor, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Dr Tunji Olowolafe; at Ikogosi Ekiti during the 2026 Ikogosi Ekiti Day celebration.

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has assured different communities across the state of sustained government attention to initiatives aimed at improving living conditions and promoting community growth.

The governor, who reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to grassroots development, also called on the Ekiti people to mobilise massive support for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in the January 2027 presidential election, saying the President’s continued leadership was critical to sustaining the development strides being recorded in the state.

Oyebanji spoke on Saturday at his hometown, Ikogosi-Ekiti, during the 2026 Ikogosi Day celebration and the fundraising for the construction of a N1 billion Oba Palace in the community.

He highlighted the importance of community participation, political support and collective responsibility in advancing development at the grassroots.

The governor, who said that the state government did not contribute a dime to the funds raised for the palace project, expressed profound appreciation to the event’s Chairman and Chief Launcher, Dr Tunji Olowolafe, who is the Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, for mobilising his friends and associates across the country to support the initiative, with contributions amounting to N906 million.

Oyebanji urged the community leadership to ensure judicious utilisation of the funds for the purpose for which they were raised, expressing optimism that the palace project would be completed and inaugurated by the next Ikogosi Day celebration in 2027.

The governor urged all sons and daughters of Ikogosi to remain united and sustain their collective commitment to the development of the community, while supporting initiatives that would promote its growth and prosperity.

He said, “On behalf of the Ikogosi community, we are extremely grateful to the Chairman and Chief Launcher, Dr Tunji Olowolafe, and his friends for what they have done for us. I am particularly grateful that he informed us that he reached out to his friends, who willingly made their donations directly to the community’s account. The funds raised today, therefore, have nothing to do with the Ekiti State Government.

“Let me also remind us that January 16 is the presidential election, and we must come out en masse to vote for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. He is a president who has assisted our state tremendously, and we must double the votes we secured during the governorship election for him,” the governor said.

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Speaking at the event, Olowolafe said that following Oyebanji’s invitation to him to serve as the event’s Chairman and Chief Launcher, he reached out to friends and associates nationwide, who willingly contributed N906m towards the construction of the project.

The chief launcher said the money raised had been deposited in the town’s project account with a commercial bank.

He said, “The donors responded enthusiastically because of their confidence in Governor Oyebanji’s leadership and his commitment to community development. The impressive response is a reflection of the goodwill and trust the governor has built among people.”

Olowolafe also commended the transformation of Ikogosi community, particularly the development of the Ikogosi Warm Springs and other infrastructural improvements recorded over the past four years, adding that contributions towards the palace project reflected a shared commitment to consolidating the progress made in the community.

Speaking on behalf of the community’s Regent, the Asaoye of Ikogosi, Ayo Ademilua, who said the town had witnessed remarkable development over the past four years, thanked Oyebanji for his “affection, commitment and contributions to the progress of the community,” describing him as a worthy son of the soil whose achievements had brought pride to the town.

The Regent also appreciated Dr Olowolafe for his generosity and efforts in mobilising funds for the palace project and also hailed other dignitaries and well-wishers who travelled from different parts of the country to celebrate with the community.

She urged sons and daughters of Ikogosi to remain united and committed to the development of their homeland.

Other dignitaries at the event included the Deputy Governor, Monisade Afuye; Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Oyeniyi Adebayo; members of the State Executive Council; members of the House of Assembly; among other prominent guests.