•••As Tompolo rules out rainbow coalition

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has declared that Ekiti State would support the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027 with 90 percent of the votes cast, saying that the President deserves another term in office in appreciation of his support for the state.

Oyebanji spoke on Thursday in Ado-Ekiti during the mega rally of the PBAT Door-To-Door Movement and presentation of over 20 vehicles as convened by Niger Delta leader, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo.

The governor, who commended Tompolo for mobilising support for Tinubu’s re-election, said the President’s contributions to Ekiti State made his continued stay in office imperative.

“Anybody that is campaigning for the re-election of President Tinubu is working for the progress of this country. Anybody against his re-election is an enemy of Nigeria,” Oyebanji declared.

Oyebanji recalled that he secured about 85 per cent of the votes in the June 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State, saying the outcome demonstrated the people’s confidence in his administration.

He, however, attributed the achievements recorded by his government to the support received from the President, insisting that the state could not have made significant progress without the assistance of the Federal Government.

“Everything we have achieved in this state, I would not have been able to do anything on my own without the support of the President,” he said.

Oyebanji also warned against voter apathy, urging supporters and residents to ensure that eligible voters collected their PVCs and participated actively in the election.

He recalled that the failure of some registered voters to turn out during previous elections had affected electoral outcomes, stressing the need for sustained engagement with voters at the grassroots.

According to him, “We must go out and hold their hands, ensuring that they follow us to the polling units and vote,” the governor said, urging members of the movement to intensify door-to-door mobilisation ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Representing Tompolo at the rally, the Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, High Chief Kestin Pondi,
ruled out any association with the rainbow coalition arrangement, declaring that the movement’s political allegiance was firmly with the All Progressives Congress (APC), both in Ekiti State and nationally.

“Anytime you see any of my people or members using our materials to campaign for anybody outside the APC, please report them and take the necessary action. I will support you.

“For us, this movement is APC from top to bottom. Our President needs the National Assembly, he needs his governors, and the governors need their state Houses of Assembly. We need all of them on board ,” he said.

The convener warned members against using the movement’s structures and campaign materials to promote candidates outside the APC, urging supporters to work towards an APC victory at all levels.

He said the ultimate objective was to secure widespread support for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 and other APC candidates, to ensure that the party retained strategic political positions needed to advance the administration’s reform agenda.