President Bola Tinubu on Friday hailed Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji on his second term inauguration, describing his reelection as reward for the electorate’s assessment of his outstanding performance in the first term.
Tinubu, who said the second term placed on the governor greater responsibility to fulfil his promises, charged Oyebanji to consolidate on his achievements in the first term which Ekiti people appreciated with votes on June 20.
The president, represented by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, spoke in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, during the inauguration of Oyebanji as Ekiti State governor for a second term.
The inauguration was attended by dignitaries including state governors, ministers, former governors, deputy governor, and traditional rulers including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi Adeoye; the Chairman of Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers and the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu-Alagbado; and the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adekunle.
Tinubu, who said that Oyebanji’s second term inauguration represented a triumph of democratic accountability, said, “Today marks the beginning of another long season of service in which every decision made and every naira spent will be judged by its impact on the people.
“While a first mandate might be inspired by promises, a second was earned through the judgement of those who had experienced the leader’s administration,” he said.
The president congratulated Oyebanji and his deputy, Mrs Monisade Afuye, urging them to sustain the spirit of generosity that contributed to their victory and demonstrate a greater willingness to place the interests of Ekiti State above political disagreements.
He said, “Your mandate is honoured through an uncommon virtue, the capacity to listen without surrendering the courage to decide. You have renewed our privilege to serve. We owe you the discipline of a party that remembers who gave it power”.
Tinubu, who said that APC’s success across the federation must not be taken for granted, thanked the people of Ekiti State for giving the party another opportunity to continue its work.
The president said that the support received by the APC and his administration across the country was rooted in an understanding of the necessity of reforms undertaken to secure Nigeria’s economic survival.
Oyebanji and his deputy took oath of office for second term as administered by the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye.
In his inaugural address, Oyebanji pledged to prioritise job creation, agriculture, electricity, education, healthcare, infrastructure, industrialisation and youth development in the next four years.
The governor, who appreciated Ekiti people for the support to his administration in the first term and the renewed mandate, also called on Ekiti residents to support the re-election of President Tinubu and Vice-President Shettima in the 2027 presidential election.
Oyebanji said that the continuation of the All Progressives Congress administration at the federal level was crucial to Ekiti’s development.
The governor said that the success of his second tenure would be measured by the extent to which public investments translated into improved living standards, reduced economic hardship and greater opportunities for the people.
He said, “In Ekiti, the measure of our second term will be how much of investments we have made to improve the lives of our people”.
Oyebanji said, “In the new term, the projects that our administration will consolidate on included road construction and rehabilitation, expansion of electricity assets, improvements in healthcare facilities and investments in education”.
The governor said that the next four years would focus on ensuring that the investments produced practical benefits for residents, particularly in agriculture, business, education and healthcare.
He said, “Our administration’s development agenda is intended to produce more productive farms, stronger businesses, useful skills, decent jobs and greater security for families”.
The governor thanked the people of Ekiti State, traditional rulers, market women, women of faith and the electorate for giving him a second mandate, acknowledging the expectations surrounding his administration.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, described Oyebanji’s return for a second term as a historic achievement in Ekiti State’s 30-year history.
Bamidele, who was the Chairman, Ekiti State APC Campaign Council Committee for 2026 Governorship Election, said the governor’s re-election was significant because no governor had previously secured two consecutive terms since the state’s creation.
He said the development reflected “Oyebanji’s ability to connect with the people, respond to the state’s complex political and social realities and work with different interests without seeking personal recognition for achievements”.
Attendance at the inauguration included Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.