Ekiti 2026: Oyebanji, Other Guber Candidates Sign Peace Accord.

Ekiti 2026: Oyebanji, Other Guber Candidates Sign Peace Accord.

….Pledge Total Commitment to Peaceful conduct.

 

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji on Thursday reaffirmed his strong commitment to ensuring peace before, during and after the June 20 governorship election in the State. 

Governor Oyebanji made the pledge in Ado-Ekiti during the  signing of peace accord alongside 11 other governorship candidates of political parties in the June 20 governorship election.  

The peace pact was organised by the National Peace Committee in partnership with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the signing of the document was witnessed by the National Chairman of the body, General Abdusalam Abubakar, who was represented by General Martin Luther Agwai ; Convener of the NPC Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah; the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu and INEC Chairman, Prof Ojo Amupitan among others. 

Addressing the gathering shortly after appending his signature to the document, Governor Oyebanji noted that his party had just concluded its local government campaign tour across the state without any record of violence, a development he said reflected the commitment of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to peace, as well as his administration’s resolve to ensure harmony in the State.

The Governor said the fact no case of violence have been recorded in the electioneering barely one week to the election has further reinforced his confidence that the forthcoming election would be conducted in a peaceful atmosphere. 

While noting that the prevailing calmness across the state was unprecedented in Ekiti’s electoral history, the Governor said it was perhaps the first time a governorship election is approaching with such a high level of peace and political maturity.

Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to preserving peace across the state, the Governor charged political parties and their candidates to honour the peace agreement in both words and actions by ensuring strict compliance with its provisions, urging them to place the interest of the state above partisan consideration and work collectively to sustain the peaceful atmosphere already being witnessed across the state. 

The Governor said “Our party just concluded a tour of local government in the state and it was violent free. Ekiti State will be 30 years in October this year, this is the first time in the history of the state that an election will be few days away and we will have this kind of peace. 

“So, I stand to make a commitment that after signing this accord and like the INEC Chairman said that is not the singing that is important but the character of those holding the pen and I believe strongly and I can attest to fellow contestants that we will do everything to ensure that we have peace. 

“I stand to make a bold declaration  on behalf of the government that I am leading and other contestants that the election will be peaceful because it is only in the atmosphere of peace that we can serve our people”.

Earlier in his remarks, the INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Ojo Amupitan, reminded the participating  political parties and their candidates that the peace accord signing was not merely a bureaucratic formality but a moral treaty entered before Nigerian people and the international community. He noted that they are expected to demonstrate sincerity by translating their signature into actions that promote peace, tolerance and respect for electoral process before, during and after the election.

The INEC Chairman further urged political actors to avoid any conduct capable of undermining the credibility of the election, adding trhat the Commission remains fully committed to conducting a fress, fair and transparent governorship poll in Ekiti State

Also in his remarks, the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Rilwa Disu assured that the Nigerian Police has made comprehensive security arrangement to guarantee the safety of voter, electoral officials and other stakeholders before, during and after the governorship election

 He explained that operational deployments, intelligent gathering and strategic positioning of personnel have been intensified across the state to prevent any breakdown of law and order, warning that the force would not hesitate to deal decisively with any attempt to disrupt the electoral process

The Police Chief therefore urged resident of Ekiti State to come out en mass on the day of election to exercise their civic responsibility, assuring them that adequate security has been put in place to ensure peaceful, safe and credible electoral environment throughout the process.

Ekiti 2026: Gov. Oyebanji reaffirms Commitment to Peaceful poll.

Ekiti 2026: Gov. Oyebanji reaffirms Commitment to Peaceful poll.

Ahead of the June 20 governorship election, Ekiti State Governor, My Biodun Oyebanji, has restated his commitment to peaceful conduct before, during and after the election, noting that there is no alternative to peace.

Governor Oyebanji stated this in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday when he  received members of the National Peace Committee (NPC) led by its Chairman and former Head of state Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, in his office in Ado- Ekiti. He reaffirmed his party’s unwavering commitment to ensuring a peaceful, free, and credible governorship election on June 20.

While commending members of the committee for their efforts at brokering peace and ensuring  peaceful coexistence among contestants, Governor Oyebanji noted that such commitment was made about four years ago when he contested for the governorship . He maintained that all the contestants demonstrated their commitment to that accord by behaving responsibly, a development that culminated into a peaceful election.

Governor Oyebanji said further that Ekiti cannot achieve the desired progress and reputation as one of Nigeria’s most peaceful states in an atmosphere of rancour and acrimony urging the preservation of Ekiti ethos during and after the electoral process from all stakeholders in Ekiti project.

“We understand the nexus between a peaceful society and development, we also know that if genuinely you want to serve the people, you cannot unleash violence on them. So your mandate is so crucial to what we want to achieve in this state. And I can confidently say it here, that my team, my party, and the government that I'm leading will do everything to ensure that during, before, and after the election, we maintain peace in this state.

“This is going to be my second signing of the Peace Accord. About three and a half years  ago, this same programme was held in Ekiti and we made commitment to peace and in fairness after that programme, all of us were committed to that accord. All the contestants behaved responsibly, and we had a peaceful election.

“Ekiti  State is 29 years old, and by October 1, we'll be 30 years old. As far as my memory can carry me, this will be the first time that we will have an election in less than a month, and the state is this peaceful. We have never had it like this before and that speaks to the new political culture that we are trying to bring to bear in Ekiti State.

“We just concluded a local government tour of 16 local government areas of the state and for the first time, it was violence-free, and because we are the main political party, other players are also looking at us, you know, and since we, the dominant party are maintaining peace, they don't have any other choice than to embrace peace too.

Earlier, the Chairman of the committee, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar who was represented by a member of the committee, General Martins Agwai said the team was in the state to broker peace among the major political players in the forthcoming June 20, governorship election in the drive to work together to strengthen democracy in Nigeria.

The Chairman stressed the need to strengthen electoral process to enable residents benefit from the democratic system Nigeria truly desires.

Also at the meeting were the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Habibat Adubiaro, APC chairman, Barr. Olusola Eleshin, Special Adviser on Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode as well as a Nigerian Roman Catholic prelate and the Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan and Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Sokoto, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah among others.

APC Declares Akin Rotimi Winner Oye-Ikole Federal Constituency Primary Election.

APC Declares Akin Rotimi Winner Oye-Ikole Federal Constituency Primary Election.

The All Progressive Congress (APC) has announced the law maker representing Oye-Ikole Federal Constituency, Hon Akintunde Rotimi as winner of Saturday’s House of Representative primary election

Rotimi was declared winner on Wednesday night by the Chairman of the APC Primary Election Committee and Chief Returning Officer, Asipa Wasiu Adebanjo, after polling 7,483 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Bimbo Daramola, who secured 5,209 votes in the keenly contested exercise 

It would be recalled that the primary election committee had earlier declared the election inconclusive, stating that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party will take a final decision on the matter following controversies that trailed the exercise.

Announcing the final result, Asipa said the party resolved to release the outcome after due consultation and careful review in line with the internal guidelines of the APC.

EKITI 2026: SUPPORT ME TO WIN RESOUNDINGLY, OYEBANJI TELLS TUC, HEALTH WORKERS.

EKITI 2026: SUPPORT ME TO WIN RESOUNDINGLY, OYEBANJI TELLS TUC, HEALTH WORKERS.

...Urges electorate to appreciate Tinubu with votes.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has canvassed the support of the state chapter of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) as well as members of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) for a resounding victory at the June 20 governorship election.

The Governor, who is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), hailed members of the two unions for their unflinching support for his administration and for their contribution to the maintenance of industrial peace in the State.

Oyebanji who spoke during engagements with the two unions in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday in continuation of his re- election campaign, stressed the need for the people of the state to vote APC and return very high figures that will serve as a reference point among the comity of states on the electoral map.

Leaders and members of TUC and its 23 affiliates adopted Oyebanji as their preferred candidate and pledged to deliver their votes in favour of his victory at the poll. Leaders of MHWUN also assured the Governor of massive votes at the election in appreciation of his commitment to their improved welfare.

The State Chairman of TUC, Comrade Omotola Farotimi, said all the affiliates of the union have signed up to support Oyebanji's candidacy because he has redefined governance and consolidated good governance which has benefitted the entire people of the state.

Reeling out the achievements of the Oyebanji administration across the six-pillar agenda, Farotimi said the governor has earned the trust of worker's body with the improvement of their welfare and giving attention to their requests from time to time hence their resolve to join the vanguard to re-elect him.

The State Chairman of MHWUN, Comrade Oluwafemi Ajoloko, who described the governor as "the game changer in the health sector," said union members are grateful to him for bridging the gap between the salary scale of health workers in the federal health institutions and their counterparts in the state health institutions as they both now enjoy the same salary scale.

Ajoloko also cited the ongoing construction of an 80-bed hospital within the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital Complex and for increasing the subvention to the tertiary health institution twice within 12 months which he described as unprecedented. He also lauded the renovation of all general hospitals and health centres across the state.

The two unions presented awards to the governor for his commitment to provision of better welfare packages to workers, infrastructure transformation, relieving workers of transportation burden, among other benefits so far enjoyed under his watch.

But the governor who said workers are entitled to good welfare package describing it as their rights and not a favour, assured that it will keep getting better if they can entrust him with another four-year mandate.

Oyebanji expressed his readiness not just to win but to win resoundingly and that Ekiti must show its readiness to be taken seriously in Nigeria as a state of electoral influence which President Bola Tinubu can count on to sweep to a massive victory. 

He said: "I want to reaffirm my commitment to your welfare through the renewal of my mandate. We don't want to win by whiskers, we want to win resoundingly because the party (APC) has set a minimum target of 500,000 votes. I believe there are ways you can talk to people and they will listen to you.

"Like your chairman has just said, just ensure that each of you take not less five other persons to your polling booths to vote for APC. I need your help to ensure that on June 20, we post a performance that will be a reference point, that will make President to know that we are not ingrates and we must prove that we appreciate all these good things he has done for us."

While explaining that both the state government and the federal government are led by APC, the platform upon which he is seeking re-election, Oyebanji revealed that gigantic projects being executed by the Tinubu Administration including the Itawure-Aramoko-Igede-Ado highway should ginger the people of the state to reciprocate with bigger votes tally noting that the road will last for not less than 50 years when completed

He added: "If not for a president that cares, a president that loves his people, there's no way Ekiti state will have been able, even with our whole budget, the whole budget if I didn't pay you, I didn't pay myself, we won’t  be able to embark on such magnitude of construction. 

"And it's a concrete pavement road, that's going to be the first in any state, in any road in the southwest. Once it's completed, that road will last for 50 years without any rehabilitation.

If you have a president that is this good to us, that is this fair, that loved us this way, the only way we can show appreciation to him is through our votes for his party."

"When I sat down there and you were telling me everything we have done as a government, and I told myself, it's not about me, and I wrote it down, it's due to Mr. President's support. If the president had not supported me, there's no way I would have been able to perform that miracle."

The parley was attended by the Chairman of the Campaign Council and Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele; Deputy Director General (South) of the Council and Senator representing Ekiti South, Senator Yemi Adaramodu; Secretary to the State Government, Prof Habibat Adubiaro; House of Representatives Candidate for Ekiti Central Federal Constituency 2, Rt Hon Karounwi Oladapo and a party elder, Chief (Mrs) Ronke Okusanya.

EKSU VC Commends the Appointment of a Result-Oriented Chancellor, Olowolafe- Thumbs Him as “Best Chancellor Ever”.

EKSU VC Commends the Appointment of a Result-Oriented Chancellor, Olowolafe- Thumbs Him as “Best Chancellor Ever”.

By Olamide Akinwumi 

The Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, Prof. Joseph Babatola Ayodele has commended the Governor of Ekiti State and Visitor to the University, His Excellency, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji on his choice of appointment of Dr. Tunji Olowolafe as the institution’s Chancellor in 2023.

This assertion came just as the Vice Chancellor reassured the university staff union members of his commitment to their welfare.

He described Dr. Tunji Olowolafe as the "best in the university’s history".

Prof. Ayodele gave the commendation during the foundation laying ceremony of the secretariat of the EKSU chapter of National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) on the campus.

He noted that since the assumption of office of Dr. Tunji Olowolafe over two years ago, the institution has continued to benefit from the various interventions of the Tunji Olowolafe Foundation (TOF), which he said had significantly improved the learning environment.

The Vice Chancellor specifically highlighted the installation of two 500KVA transformers around the Omolayo Hostel and Redeemed Christian Fellowship axis, which are largely occupied by students, describing the intervention as a major boost to electricity supply on campus and its environment.

Prof Ayodele noted, " right inside the school environment, the Foundation has installed 261 number solar powered street lights for illumination especially at night."

He further said the Foundation is also currently facilitating the provision of Starlink Internet connectivity for EKSU; a project expected to provide 24-hour free internet access to both students and staff.

According to him, the initiative would greatly enhance teaching, learning, and research activities across the university community.

“With my 34 years experience in EKSU, it will not be out of place to describe Dr. Tunji Olowolafe as the best Chancellor in the history of this great institution,” Prof. Ayodele stated.

The Vice Chancellor also appealed to other well-meaning individuals across the country and corporate bodies to emulate Dr. Olowolafe’s philanthropic gestures by contributing to the development of EKSU and the advancement of education in Nigeria.

The VC reassured the university staff unions and their members at the  NAAT Secretariat foundation laying ceremony, that staff welfare remains his priority. He further described the NAAT as a vital union in the university, promising his support towards ensuring speedy completion of the proposed edifice. 

He advised all the various staff Unions in the university to always embrace dialogue on any matter affecting the welfare of their members rather than embarking on industrial actions that could paralyse the smooth operations of the university.

Prof Ayodele again expressed appreciation to the government of Ekiti under the dynamic leadership of His Excellency, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji for the support given to the university by increasing its monthly subvention, which he noted, had helped the institution in implementing the recent ASUU new salary structure, as approved by the Governing Council. 

He promised to do the same for the Non-Teaching staff as soon as the federal government approves the percentage for the new salary structure and with the approval of the Governing Council.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the EKSU NAAT Chairman, Engr.Abiodun Adamolekun, thanked the Vice Chancellor and the university management team for their progressive initiatives. He also solicited the support of management and others towards ensuring quick completion of the building. 

According to him, the edifice, when completed, would be a 1,000-seater capacity hall, with lock-up shops and offices.

NUC COMMENDS VENITE UNIVERSITY DURING LICENCE VALIDATION, LAUDS RAPID DEVELOPMENT AND STANDARDS.

NUC COMMENDS VENITE UNIVERSITY DURING LICENCE VALIDATION, LAUDS RAPID DEVELOPMENT AND STANDARDS.

Officials of the National Universities Commission on Monday, 18th May 2026 visited venite university on licence validation. The team assessed the institution’s academic progress, infrastructural development, and compliance with standards in line with global best practices stipulated by the Commission.

Speaking during the exercise, the team lead, Mrs. Victoria Omorodion, commended the Management of Venite University for the remarkable achievements recorded within the short period of existence. She noted that the University had shown significant commitment towards quality education and infrastructural growth. Areas of attention for enhanced global competitiveness were also noted.

See More Pictures Of The Event Below 👇

Read More 👇👇

https://veniteuniversity.edu.ng/2026/05/20/nuc-commends-venite-university-during-licence-validation-lauds-rapid-development-and-standards/

Ekiti Government, L-PRES Move to Establish 30,000-Capacity Broiler Facility in Emure.

Ekiti Government, L-PRES Move to Establish 30,000-Capacity Broiler Facility in Emure.

Yesterday 19th of May, 2026, a delegation from the Ekiti State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, led by the Honourable Commissioner, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade, paid a courtesy visit to the Elemure-in-Council under the leadership of His Royal Majesty, Oba James Babatunde Ajiboye (Otutubiosun I). Present alongside the Kabiyesi were notable chiefs and the Chairman of the Local Government, Hon. Tosin Adedayo. Accompanying the Commissioner was the Livestock Production and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) team, led by its Director, Mr. Olayinka Adedipe.

The visit was in fulfilment of the Ministry’s and L-PRES’ plan to establish three large-scale broiler production facilities in Ekiti State, to be located in Ado Ekiti, Ikole Ekiti, and Emure Ekiti. It's a semi-automated poultry pens that will include:

●an admin block 

● a security house 

● a warehouse 

● a weighing bridge. 

Already a poultry processing plant is already under construction in Ado to process birds from all the poultry hubs within the state.

The Livestock Production and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) is designed to improve livestock productivity, resilience, and commercialization of selected value chains, while strengthening the nation’s capacity to respond to crises and emergencies. The initiative is a partnership involving the World Bank, the Federal Government of Nigeria, and the Ekiti State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

Speaking during the visit, the Honourable Commissioner highlighted the significance of establishing a 30,000-capacity broiler production facility in Emure Ekiti, explaining that the project aligns with the vision of His Excellency Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji’s administration to combat hunger, create employment opportunities for youths, and stimulate economic activities within the community and across the state. It's planned to create jobs for more than 100 youths directly and 200 indirect jobs.

The Commissioner also commended the Kabiyesi for generously making available a large parcel of land for the project without conditions, assuring the government and project team of additional space should future expansion become necessary — a gesture he described as a demonstration of uncommon commitment to community development.

The contractor handling the project assured the Kabiyesi and the people of Emure that the facility would be delivered according to approved standards and specifications within the shortest possible timeframe.

While receiving the delegation, His Royal Majesty, Oba James Babatunde Ajiboye (Otutubiosun I), praised Governor Biodun Oyebanji for his commitment to the development of Emure, citing recent developmental projects executed within the palace and the community. The monarch further urged the contractor to remain true to his assurances and ensure the delivery of a standard, quality facility that would serve the interest of the community for years to come.

At the conclusion of the engagement, the Kabiyesi and the Honourable Commissioner led all delegations present to inspect the proposed expansive site earmarked for the execution of the project.

The proposed broiler production facility is expected to contribute significantly to food security, youth empowerment, employment generation, and economic growth in Emure Ekiti and Ekiti State as a whole.