Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has urged residents to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, citing the Federal Government’s interventions in the state, particularly in road infrastructure.

Oyebanji made the appeal on Wednesday while speaking at the 2026 Udiroko Festival in Ado-Ekiti, where he also called for the transformation of the annual cultural celebration into a platform for tourism, economic development and wealth creation.

The governor said Udiroko had grown beyond an Ado-Ekiti celebration and had become an important cultural event for the entire state.

He urged the festival’s planning committee and other stakeholders to develop the event in a way that would preserve Ekiti’s cultural heritage while creating economic opportunities and improving livelihoods.

Oyebanji said, “Udiroko festival is no longer an Ado festival, it has become Ekiti festival and we need to sit down with the planning committee to find a way such that while we are preserving our culture and tradition, we also use this festival as an avenue to create wealth for Ekiti indigenes.”

The governor congratulated the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, the Ewi-in-Council, chiefs and residents of the community, expressing hope that the monarch would celebrate many more Udiroko festivals on the throne.

Oyebanji also highlighted what he described as key interventions by the Tinubu administration in Ekiti, particularly the award and commencement of work on the Itawure-Aramoko-Ado road.

He recalled that the road was a major concern when he addressed residents at the previous Udiroko Festival.

“Last year when I spoke here, the Itawure-Aramoko-Ado road was an issue and I addressed it at the Udiroko festival. To God be the glory, today, Mr President has awarded the road, contractor has moved to site,” he said.

The governor added that the Federal Government had also awarded the Ado-Ijan-Iluomoba-Ijesa-Isu-Ikole road, with survey work already underway ahead of construction.

“And today also Mr President has also awarded Ado-Ijan-Iluomoba-Ijesa-Isu-Ikole road, the survey is being done and very soon the contractor will move to site,” Oyebanji said.

He said the projects demonstrated the importance of sustained cooperation between the state and federal governments, urging Ekiti residents to reciprocate the Federal Government’s support through their votes.

“Why I am reminding all of us about this is that January next year, there will be an election to re-elect the President. I am pleading with all of us in Ekiti State, we must come out and cast our votes for the President,” he said.

Oyebanji said continued collaboration between the state and Federal Government would attract more development projects and opportunities capable of improving the lives of residents.

The Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, described the Udiroko Festival as an important cultural heritage of the Ado-Ekiti people and called for its preservation and promotion for future generations.

The monarch commended residents for sustaining the annual celebration, saying the festival promotes unity, cultural values and peaceful coexistence.

He also appreciated Governor Oyebanji for his administration’s support for the festival and other development initiatives, including the expansion of tarred roads across Ado-Ekiti.

The monarch congratulated Oyebanji on his re-election, describing the victory as a “well-deserved endorsement” of his administration’s performance and the confidence of Ekiti residents in his leadership.

Oba Adejugbe, however, called on security agencies to intensify efforts to protect Nigerians against insecurity.

He urged security agencies at all levels to deploy technology and sophisticated strategies to tackle banditry and terrorism across the country.

The event was attended by Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye, Deputy Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Bolaji Olagbaju, Secretary to the State Government, Habibat Adubiaro, Chief of Staff Niyi Adebayo, members of the State Executive Council, prominent Ado-Ekiti indigenes and various community groups.

The highlight of the festival was the traditional homage paid to the Ewi by different groups and titled chiefs.

Boluwatife Enome 

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