The Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has expressed optimism that President Bola Tinubu would get a minimum of 500,000 votes in the coming presidential race in Ekiti State to appreciate his warm, fatherly support and beneficial political leadership.

Senator Bamidele said that though the party set a threshold of 500,000 votes, we got 391,224 for Governor Biodun Oyebanji. This was a significant improvement compared to what we had in the past. Our governor won with 187,234 in 2022.”

The Senate Leader spoke yesterday in Ado Ekiti, during the signing of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s nomination forms as the All Progressives Congress’ 2027 senatorial candidate, by the ward chairmen across the 57 wards in the five local government areas in Ekiti Central Senatorial District.

Senator Bamidele, who was represented by his senior legislative assistant, Hon. Gbenga Banji, pledged to upscale and strengthen the quality representation he is offering Ekiti State’s citizens at the Senate if he emerges victorious in the 2027 senatorial election as scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The Senate leader also promised to improve on the beneficial and mutually inclusive synergy he has built with Governor Biodun Oyebanji to transform the state in terms of infrastructures, unity of purpose and expansion of politics of solidarity that can uplift the lives of the citizens.

Bamidele lauded the party leadership for their sustained solidarity since the advent of his political career close to two decades ago in the state, describing this as the source of inspiration and catalyst to deliver the expected quality representation for his constituents.

Senator Bamidele praised the consistent solidarity Ekiti people are demonstrating for the progressive party, saying the massive votes they delivered for Governor Oyebanji in the recent governorship election further buttressed that the state is solidly behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government.

“Let me thank my constituents for standing firmly by me since I started this journey close to two decades ago. In fact, your solidarity, prayers and solid support were sources of inspiration to me. I have promised never to disappoint nor betray the confidence you have in me as your representative in conduct and performance.

“I know as a leader and elected official that there is a minimum standard of performance one can offer for his people to attract accolades. I am not unaware of this. I will work hard to always meet this threshold and even surpass it to show that I am a leader who believes in the people.

“2027 is another opportunity for you to show your consistency in the support you have been giving. Please, let us repeat the feat of victory you have given in the past by renewing this mandate that you have adjudged to be favourable and beneficial to you.

“I promise to work harder and deliver the best for you as your representative and wherever I find myself. I will continue to serve you and provide the expected hope you needed from me as a leader of the people.”

Commenting on the just-concluded governorship poll, Bamidele saluted his constituents for standing firmly with Governor Oyebanji, saying the quantity of votes turned out attested to the fact that Ekiti had wholesomely adopted APC as its preferred party.

Though we set a threshold of 500,000 votes, we gave 391,224 for Governor Biodun Oyebanji. This was a significant improvement compared to what we had in the past. Our governor won with 187,234 in 2022.

“What this means is that we have to work harder in 2027, and I am optimistic that President Tinubu will get a minimum of 500,000 in the coming presidential race in our state to appreciate his warm, fatherly support and beneficial political leadership.”

Responding on behalf of the ward chairmen, Hon. Kayode Oladimeji assured that the entire constituents in Ekiti Central were resolute to mobilise aggressively for the Senate Leader and President Tinubu in the coming elections, predicting that support for them would overwhelm the opposition in the state.