Ahead of the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti State, Governor Biodun Oyebanji has declared that breaking the succession jinx in the state would end the era of trial and error.
Oyebanji said the forthcoming poll goes beyond victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC), noting that it is aimed at sustaining meaningful development in line with his administration’s policy thrust, strategies and priorities.
The governor made the declaration at the weekend in Akure during the 2026 Ekiti Day celebration organised in his honour by Ekiti indigenes living in Ondo State.
According to him, “June 20 is not just a day of voting; it is a day when Ekiti people want to break a jinx. You will realise that since the creation of Ekiti State, no governor has run two consecutive terms.
“All those things have implications for development. When there is a stoppage in government, there is a change in policy, strategy and priorities. A new government will want to implement its own programmes.
“If, by the special grace of God and by your support, we are able to break that jinx on June 20, it means that for the first time since the creation of Ekiti State 29 years ago, we will have a government that has run for 12 years.
“The implication of that for policies is that once we return, we know what we want to do. We have been in the saddle for four years, and we know what we have done and the areas we need to improve upon. We do not have to engage in trial and error. That is the implication of June 20 for Ekiti people.
“It is not just about winning an election; the culture of 10 steps forward and 30 steps backwards must stop. I am glad that my people in Ondo State have taken up this baton that enough is enough.”
While commending Ekiti indigenes in Ondo State for the honour bestowed on him and for supporting his re-election bid, the governor urged them to continue supporting their host governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
“He appreciates your support, and I urge you to continue to support him in all his future endeavours. I also thank you for putting your resources together to organise this programme. When I arrived and saw that these are people who have PVCs, I told myself that my people are ready for business,” he said.
On his part, Ondo State Governor Aiyedatiwa, represented by the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Seun Osamaye, commended Governor Oyebanji for his impactful leadership and inclusive governance in the state.
He noted that a directive had been given to all Ekiti indigenes in Ondo State with Ekiti PVCs to cast their votes, adding that his victory at the poll would be overwhelming across the 16 local government areas.
Earlier in his welcome address, the 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 supporting his re-election bid, stating that over 6,000 Ekiti voters living in the state would be mobilised for the poll.
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 Oso-Omotosho; and ALGON Chairman in Ekiti State, Hon. Olusegun Ojo, lauded the Ekiti indigenes in Ondo State for standing firmly behind the governor’s second-term ambition.
