Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, on Friday, inaugurated 5,000 community canvassers for his re-election on June 20, 2026 and President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
The event which was powered by the Bureau of Community Communications, attracted canvassers drawn from communities, groups and grassroots structures set up by the bureau.
During the inauguration ceremony, which held at Fajuyi Pavilion in Ado-Ekiti, Governor Oyebanji described the event as historic and lauded the Director General, Bureau of Community Communications, Mary Omotosho for embarking on such laudable initiative.
Oyebanji, who appreciated them for coming out in their numbers to support his re-election, said he has fulfilled his pledge to run an inclusive governance aimed at fostering meaningful engagement between the government and its citizens.
His words: “This is history in the making. Since the creation of Ekiti State 29 years ago, the gathering of this nature has never happened. As I stepped into this venue, I am very humbled and appreciative to God for what He is doing in our lives.
“You have put resources together to put this in place. Government didn’t contribute money for this and on behalf of my party and the national leader, President Tinubu, I am extremely grateful to all of you.
“When I was sworn in as governor three and half years ago, I made a promise that I will see you, listen to you and be accessible. God has helped me to keep to those promises.”
The governor seized the opportunity to charge them to mobilise voters for his re-election and President Tinubu saying that the President has supported his administration in delivering dividends of democracy to the people.
Earlier, the Director General, Bureau of Community Communications, declared that the canvassers will embark on streets, door-to-door, and house-to-house campaign for the re-elections of Governor Oyebanji and President Tinubu.
Omotosho said the initiative is inspired by the astute leadership style of the governor stressing that they are reciprocating the gesture to demonstrate their genuine support and generosity.
The DG clarified that the canvassers are ordinary citizens from communities, neighbourhoods, places of worship, markets and fields noting that less than three percent of the participants are politicians.
She explained that the target of the canvassers is to bring and deliver at least 25 voters each adding that the group is poised to deliver 125,000 votes in the forthcoming June 20 governorship election.
The DG revealed that a vote-tracking website has been launched to enable the group track, monitor and ascertain the numbers and further declared that the entire Ekiti populace will vote overwhelmingly for his re-election.
Her words: “We are not gathered here today just because an election is approaching We are gathered here because leadership has touched us all in ways we do not expect. Therefore, we are as we officially inaugurate 5,000 community canvassers for BAO/MCA & PRAT.
“These are men and women drawn from communities, groups, and grassroots structures set op by the office of Community Communications.
“This programme was deliberately held without any pre-publicity or promotional fanfare, so that only the community canvassers would be assembled.
“Your Excellency, the people you see here in blue jackets are all your canvassers with each of them issued an identification number. They are here by conviction, not contrivance. Their presence today is real, not staged
“And because this initiative has its roots in genuine grassroots support, many generous hearts donated to make this event possible. That spirit of giving reflects the enthusiasm of our people for community service and collective progress. This is unprecedented.
“Across Ekiti State, from the smillest hamlet to the hustest town, there are positive stories everywhere: Stories of lives rescued. Stories of destinies restored. Stories of tears wiped. Stories of doors opened without discrimination.”
Highlights of the epoch-making event include goodwill messages from representatives of Non-indigenous groups, artisans and private sector, religious leaders, PWDs, among others.
Dignitaries that graced the occasion include the Deputy Governor, Monisade Afuye, Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Stephen Aribasoye, Chief of Staff, Niyi Adebayo, members of the state executive council, members of the state House of Assembly, local government chairmen, political leaders, party chieftains etc.
