Former Ekiti State Governor and former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo, has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Biodun Oyebanji deserve a second term, citing their dedication to national service and deep concern for Ekiti State’s development.

Speaking on Tuesday at a political rally in Ekiti to endorse both Tinubu and Oyebanji for a second term in office as President and Governor respectively, Adebayo stated:

“Ekiti has spoken, and I agree in totality with everything Ekiti has said. I stand before you to endorse our President, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his second term in office.

“I also stand before you to endorse our Governor and his Deputy, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji and Princess Monisade Afuye, for a second term in office. Ladies and gentlemen, these endorsements are not for the fun of it. They are a reward for the work that these individuals have been doing both for our country and for our state, Ekiti.

“I have no doubt that when they return to office, they will do even much more than they have done. We already see a silver lining in the dark clouds. We know that Nigeria is getting better, and we have no doubt that the way Nigeria is getting better, Ekiti also is progressing.”

He revealed that President Tinubu maintains a consistent interest in the affairs of the state.

“One of the reasons that I am happy with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the fact that, to him, Ekiti is a very, very important state. On every occasion that I have had to meet with him and discuss with him, he has Ekiti at the top of his mind. He is always telling me all the things he is doing and that he plans to do to assist our Governor to make progress in Ekiti State. And for that reason, I stand here to support him,” he said.

Adebayo also lavished praise on the current Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, commending him for uniting the state’s political forces.

He credited Governor Oyebanji for the rare political harmony in Ekiti, saying:

“I don’t need anyone to tell me about the work that our Governor is doing in Ekiti. He and his Deputy are very, very hard workers, and they have done a lot to bring peace and prosperity to our state.

“We have here, for the first time, all the former Governors of Ekiti standing here to endorse our Governor. Governor Fayemi sends his apologies for not being able to be here with us, but I have no doubt that he joins us in this endorsement as well. What I say, Governor Oyebanji has been working hard.

“Who would have thought, between 2003 to date, that an occasion would happen where I would be sitting down next to Olusegun, holding hands, cracking jokes and talking? Is it not as a result of the work that our Governor has been doing?”

The former minister concluded with a call for continued support for President Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji, assuring the audience that their leadership remains committed to progress both at the federal and state levels.