Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has challenged leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the January 2027 presidential election, setting a target of at least 80 per cent support for President Bola Tinubu.
Oyebanji made the call on Thursday during the inauguration of the Ekiti State chapter of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion in Ado-Ekiti.
The event also featured the presentation of 25 campaign vehicles by the movement to strengthen its grassroots mobilisation activities across the state.
The movement was convened by Niger Delta leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo.
The governor urged APC stakeholders to engage voters more actively, particularly those who remained undecided, and encourage eligible Nigerians to participate in the forthcoming election.
He said Ekiti should aim for at least 80 per cent of registered voters’ support for Tinubu, describing the target as a challenge to party leaders and members.
Oyebanji also expressed appreciation for the support his administration had received from the Federal Government, saying continued cooperation between the state and federal governments was important to sustaining development projects and programmes.
He said, “I have always said that in our 30 years as a state, there has been no President who has been as fair and supportive to Ekiti as President Tinubu.”
The governor assured the movement that the campaign vehicles would be deployed to support mobilisation activities across communities.
Earlier, the convener of the movement, Government Ekpemupolo, represented by its Grand Patron, High Chief Kestin Pondi, called on Nigerians to support Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
Pondi argued that the administration needed more time to consolidate its economic reforms and achieve its stated objectives.
He also maintained that the reforms had improved the capacity of state governments to meet financial obligations, including the payment of workers’ salaries and pensions, as well as the execution of development projects.
According to him, governors in the 19 states visited by the movement had highlighted the impact of the reforms on their ability to implement projects and meet financial commitments.
He urged political aspirants from other parties to explain how their proposed programmes would improve the lives of Nigerians compared with the policies being implemented by the Tinubu administration.
The event was attended by Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye, Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly Adeoye Aribasoye, APC State Chairman Sola Eleshin, members of the state legislature and other party stakeholders.
The APC leadership in Ekiti is expected to rely on the movement’s grassroots structure and the newly presented vehicles to strengthen its mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Oyebanji’s 80 per cent target represents the governor’s stated political goal and not an independently measured level of voter support.
