The Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, on Tuesday, appealed to his supporters to maintain the peace, conduct themselves exemplarily and avoid any acrimonious engagement with anyone, no matter the level of provocation, saying that his aspiration is not worth the precious blood of any Ekiti person.

The governor also appealed to all political leaders to rein in their supporters, prioritising peace, noting that the seeds of their ambition should not be nurtured with the blood of their followers. “We must all be committed to the ideal that the peace of Ekiti is more important than our individual aspirations.”

Oyebanji who stated this in a statewide broadcast in reaction to recent incidents of political violence in some parts of the state ahead of the October 27, 2025 primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said Ekiti must be careful as a people not to allow fifth columnists to weaponise the challenges associated with some roads that need rehabilitation to blindfold them from seeing other roads that the Ekiti State Government and the Federal Government have rehabilitated.

“It is true that some Federal roads need urgent attention in Ekiti, but it is also true that Ekiti State Government has alternative roads that can be used by commuters while the Federal Government works on the rehabilitation of such roads.

“We must therefore not allow mischievous elements to trigger us into blackmailing the Federal Government on this. Ekiti is not the only state where federal roads need attention, and I am aware that the Federal Government is working hard to ensure the rehabilitation of these roads commences very shortly,” he said.

Speaking on the need for peace, the governor said, “It was even scary that these attacks came after our initial appeal to stakeholders to maintain the peace and ensure a rancour-free electioneering. I once again appeal to my supporters to maintain the peace, conduct themselves exemplarily and avoid any acrimonious engagement with anyone, no matter the level of provocation.

“It should never be heard that members of my party or those sympathetic to us are involved in acts that are capable of instigating violence. My aspiration is not worth the precious blood of any Ekiti person.

“Whereas our Constitution, as a nation, grants all citizens the right to freedom of association and expression, such a freedom must be exercised within the confines of the law. No one is allowed to bully, intimidate or coerce another person, and every Ekiti citizen has a right to freely move around and to peacefully canvas for votes.

“I therefore appeal to all political leaders to rein in their supporters to give peace a priority. The seed of our ambition should not be nurtured with the blood of our followers. We must all be committed to the ideal that the peace of Ekiti is more important than our individual aspiration.

“On our part, we want to assure our citizens that we are more than resolved to protect our state and to ensure no breakdown of laws and order. While we will not stop anyone from peacefully going about their political activities, the security agencies will be on the alert and will not allow anybody to stain our immaculate name as a peaceful and progressive state.”