Ekiti artisans, private sector endorse Oyebanji’s second term bid

Artisans and private sector groups in Ekiti State have declared strong support for the re-election of Governor Biodun Oyebanji ahead of the June 20 poll, citing his performance across key sectors of the state’s economy.

The endorsement was made on Monday in Ado Ekiti during an engagement with the governor, where leaders of the groups—Mr Ebenezer Babatunde (Artisans) and Mr Abiodun Gbenga (Private Sector)—commended his administration’s achievements in infrastructure, healthcare, education, empowerment, and support for small businesses.

Operating under the Congress of Artisans and Private Sectors, the groups praised the government’s worker-friendly policies and initiatives aimed at boosting small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), noting that such efforts have positively impacted their businesses and livelihoods.

They also expressed confidence in Oyebanji’s leadership capacity, describing his track record as evidence of his competence, while pledging to mobilise grassroots support across the state’s 177 wards to ensure his victory at the polls.

The groups further appreciated the governor for appointing some of their members into key positions in his administration.

In his response, Governor Oyebanji thanked them for their continued support since the 2022 election and urged eligible voters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the poll, stressing that participation in the election depends on possessing valid voter identification.

He cautioned against the spread of fake news, accusing some opposition elements of attempting to heat up the polity through misinformation to gain political sympathy and discredit the government.

The governor also revealed plans to disburse loans to about 2,000 women to support small businesses and promote economic inclusion. He encouraged traders to form cooperative societies to improve their access to credit, noting that financial institutions are often reluctant to lend to individuals.

Oyebanji reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting local businesses through policies such as the local content law, which prioritises patronage of indigenous artisans and enterprises.

Accompanied by Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye, he described the informal sector as critical to both governance and electoral success, expressing optimism that the promised support would translate into votes.

He also urged residents to maintain peace before and during the election, warning against violence and divisive rhetoric.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the campaign council, Cyril Fasuyi, called on voters to turn out en masse, saying the goal is not just victory but a significant increase from the 200,000 votes recorded in 2022 to over 500,000 votes in the upcoming election.