Oyebanji insists Tinubu is supporting Ekiti, warns against discrediting President

The Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has warned ditractors against discrediting the Federal Government on the state of federal roads in Ekiti, noting that all challenges cannot be surmounted overnight.

Speaking during the 2025 Udiroko Festival in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday, Oyebanji expressed displeasure at the narrative that the Federal Government has abandoned Ekiti State in view of the deplorable state of the Ado-Aramoko-Itawure road.

The governor said distractors are aware that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu- led Federal Government has awarded the construction of Ado- Ikere- Akure road, Ado-Ijan-Iluomoba road which are currently under construction, but are on the mission to discredit the President because of Ado-Aramoko-Itawure road which has not been awarded for construction.

He explained that the ongoing construction of the two federal roads in the state is an indication that the President loves Ekiti State but cannot attend to all requests at a go. He added that the State has also completed the reconstruction of the Ado- Iworoko- Ifaki federal road to complement efforts of the Federal Government.

While stressing that Ekiti State remains eternally grateful to the President, Oyebanji said, “Let me use this opportunity to tell Ekiti people that the President of this country is supportive of Ekiti State. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing everything humanly possible for the state and I stand here to give testimony to that. The President has supported us a lot but it is not possible for him to solve all our problems in two years.

“As I speak today, the construction of Ado-Ikere-Itaogbolu-Akure road is ongoing, also the Ado-Ijan-Iluomoba road has been awarded, while the state has also completed the reconstruction of the Ado- Iworoko- Ifaki federal road to complement the efforts of the federal government. It is unfair for any Ekiti indigene to use the condition of Aramoko-Itawure road to measure this government. Ekiti People are not ingrates, we reject that narrative and we say the President is supporting us and Ekiti people are in support of the President”.

While congratulating the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe for the 2025 Udiroko festival, the governor, described the royal father as a symbol of wisdom and an embodiment of Ekiti rich cultural heritage.

Oyebanji said the reign of the monarch has brought remarkable progress to Ado-Ekiti and the state at large, emphasizing that Udiroko festival remains a testament to the monarch’s visionary leadership, which has sustained the Ekiti tradition in a modern society.

In his addresss, the Ewi of Ado Ekiti noted that Udiroko Festival has been transformed from its traditional view to a dynamic platform for community development and engagement serving as an avenue to reflect on the collective Journey of Ado Ekiti people, evaluate progress, as well as envision a future that is in tandem with the values of unity, growth, adaptability and development.

Oba Adejugbe called on all political actors in the state to work towards peaceful coexistence and not to see political position as a do-or-die affair, stressing the need to respect the preference of the people for the collective development of Ekiti State in particular and Nigeria in general.

He also commended President Bola Tinubu for the far-reaching reforms he has introduced to bring succour to Nigerians.

Also at the event were, the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs.) Monisade Afuye, wife of the Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji; Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye; former governors Niyi Adebayo, and Ayodele Fayose; former and serving members of the National Assembly, former and serving members of the state house of assembly, members of the state Executive Council.