Nigeria’s ruling party has delivered a sweeping verdict at the polls, with voters in Ekiti State and five other states handing the APC fresh mandates that its leadership is calling the strongest endorsement yet of President Tinubu’s reform agenda.
By Chioma Obinagwam
Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has secured a commanding re-election victory in the Ekiti State Governorship Election, as the ruling party simultaneously claimed five of six bye-elections conducted across the country, details gleaned by Confiance News from a statement issued by the party’s national leadership indicate.
The APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, in a statement tracked by Confiance News and signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, described the results as a decisive public endorsement of the party’s governance philosophy and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ongoing economic reform programme.
”The overwhelming victory recorded by our great party in Ekiti State and our remarkable success in the bye-elections across the country represent a powerful endorsement of the APC’s governance philosophy,” Prof. Yilwatda was quoted as saying.
”These results affirm that Nigerians appreciate leadership that prioritises development, accountability, stability and the welfare of the people.”
Oyebanji’s re-election, details of which were confirmed by Confiance News, was declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after the governor secured a commanding margin across the state. The result extends his first-term mandate and deepens APC’s grip on the South-West state.
Prof. Yilwatda framed the Ekiti outcome as a referendum on performance-based governance, noting that citizens had rewarded the administration for visible gains in road infrastructure, healthcare delivery, rural development, agricultural productivity, workers’ welfare and the ease of doing business.
”The people of Ekiti State have once again demonstrated that performance remains the most potent campaign message in democratic politics. Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s resounding re-election is a reward for visionary leadership, inclusive governance, prudent management of resources and visible developmental achievements across the state,” he said.
Beyond Ekiti, the APC’s haul in the bye-elections, as gathered by Confiance News, spanned multiple states of the federation, with the party winning five of the six seats contested. The National Chairman did not name the specific states or constituencies in the statement.
Linking the electoral outcomes to the federal administration, Prof. Yilwatda said the results validated President Tinubu’s decision to pursue structural economic reforms despite the short-term discomfort they have imposed on Nigerians.
”Despite inheriting deep structural challenges, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demonstrated courage and vision in implementing reforms that are necessary for Nigeria’s long-term prosperity. The confidence reposed in our party by voters across the country indicates growing public understanding and appreciation of these reforms,” he said.
The National Chairman also commended INEC, security agencies and the electorate in Ekiti State for the peaceful conduct of the election, and pledged that the APC would continue to pursue inclusive national development.
”Our message to Nigerians is simple: we have heard your voices, we appreciate your confidence and we shall continue to justify the trust you have placed in our party through impactful governance, economic renewal and inclusive national development,” Prof. Yilwatda stated.
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