Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has expressed confidence that Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, will secure an easy victory in the forthcoming June 20, 2026, governorship election, citing his remarkable performance over the past three years.
Okpebholo made the remarks on Wednesday in Ikere Ekiti while inaugurating the Ikere–Igbara Odo Road and a farm dormitory constructed by the Oyebanji administration as part of activities marking the governor’s third anniversary in office.
The Edo governor, who had earlier on Tuesday accompanied Oyebanji on an inspection tour of ongoing projects, including the Okeyinmi flyover and the 80-bed multipurpose medical building at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, praised the governor’s developmental strides and his popularity among citizens.
“Mr Governor, my dear brother and friend, I can confidently say that you have performed excellently,” Okpebholo said. “From the moment I entered Ekiti, I kept hearing ‘BAO’ everywhere, which shows how much the people appreciate your achievements in just three years.”
Okpebholo recalled his pledge to deliver 2.5 million votes to President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, noting that with the level of progress witnessed in Ekiti, Oyebanji could surpass such records in his own poll.
“I drove across the flyover you are constructing within three years and concluded that you won’t need to campaign much or go through stress to win the coming election. I congratulate you and the people of Ekiti for the great accomplishments recorded so far,” he added.
In his remarks, Oyebanji emphasized that the road and agricultural projects were essential to the state’s economic growth and security. According to him, the upgraded Ikere–Igbara Odo Road would not only address past safety concerns along the route but also transform the corridor into a thriving economic hub by enhancing trade and food production.
“We promise to continue serving you diligently,” Oyebanji assured residents.
He also commended President Bola Tinubu for his support and “bold economic reforms that have released more funds to the states,” stressing that the impact of these policies was already visible in improved infrastructure and better living standards for Nigerians.
The Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti and Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Adejimi Adu-Alagbado, lauded Oyebanji for his commitment to speedy project delivery. The monarch said the governor’s passion for development had earned him widespread acclaim and was driving industrial growth, boosting Ekiti’s economy, and enhancing its reputation nationwide.
