Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, has rallied members of the Igbo community resident in Ekiti State to throw their weight behind Governor Biodun Oyebanji in the June 20 governorship election.
He described the governor as a bridge-builder whose inclusive style of governance has fostered peace, unity and economic prosperity across the state.
Uzodimma, who spoke in Ado-Ekiti at the weekend while addressing a gathering of Igbo community, commended Oyebanji for creating a conducive atmosphere that allows residents from different ethnic and religious backgrounds to live and conduct their businesses without discrimination.
The Imo governor, who addressed the gathering amid cheers from community members, said the support being enjoyed by Oyebanji among non-indigenes was a testament to his commitment to fairness, inclusiveness and people-oriented governance.
He urged the Igbo residents to reciprocate the goodwill extended to them by the Ekiti governor by voting massively for him in the forthcoming election, stressing that continuity in leadership would enable Oyebanji to consolidate on his developmental achievements and deepen the gains recorded in the areas of peace, security and economic growth.
According to him, Oyebanji has demonstrated uncommon leadership qualities by ensuring that every resident of the state, irrespective of origin, enjoys a sense of belonging through government policies and programmes.
The governor conveyed greetings from the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that the support being extended to Oyebanji also reflected loyalty to the ruling party and its leadership at the national level.
Addressing the gathering, Uzodinma said, “My dear good people of Igbo indigenes in Ekiti State, I bring greetings from the national leadership of our party APC and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I am here to thank you for supporting our party because the support you have given to Governor Oyebanji is the support you are also giving to APC and the President.
“I am happy I can see joy on your faces. I am happy that you have a God-fearing governor, a governor with a clear heart, a governor who does not discriminate, a governor who includes everybody in his policies and programmes.
“Our presence here today is to act as a witness that all the good things the governor has done for you in Ekiti are appreciated. What we are saying today is that because Governor Oyebanji has done well, he should continue for the next four years.”
The chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum further assured the Igbo community that another term for Oyebanji would translate into greater opportunities and increased participation of non-indigenes in governance and development initiatives across the state.
“I want to assure you that for the next four years, he will double the inclusion he has given to you during the first four years,” he added
