The governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement in Ekiti State, Joseph Anifowose, has withdrawn from the race and declared support for Governor Biodun Oyebanji ahead of next month’s election.
Anifowose announced his decision on Tuesday during a campaign rally of the All Progressives Congress in Igede Ekiti, headquarters of Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area.
He said the decision was based on the developmental projects and governance style of the Oyebanji administration, which he said should be sustained.
According to him, the governor had demonstrated leadership capacity and fostered unity among political leaders in the state.
“If you look at Governor Oyebanji in the last three and a half years, he has been able to mobilise all the former governors for the development of the state. Governor Oyebanji is a divine arrangement and a God-sent. He has shown capacity and competence, and he is committed to making Ekiti great,” he said.
Anifowose added that the leadership of the APM in the state had directed party members across the local governments to support Oyebanji’s re-election bid.
Meanwhile, Oyebanji, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and Senate spokesman Yemi Adaramodu expressed confidence in the APC’s chances in the governorship election.
Speaking at rallies in Ilawe Ekiti and Igede Ekiti, Oyebanji said ongoing state and Federal Government projects reflected the commitment of the APC to the development of Ekiti State.
He listed projects including the Ikere-Ilawe Road, Ikere-Igbara Odo Road, Igbara Odo-Ikogosi Road and the reconstruction of the Itawure-Aramoko-Igede-Ado highway.
The governor also praised President Bola Tinubu for appointing Ekiti indigenes to key positions in his administration.
Oyebanji urged residents to vote massively for the APC in the governorship election and support the party at both state and federal levels.
Also speaking, the Ekiti APC Chairman, Sola Elesin, described Oyebanji as a governor who had performed well and deserved another term in office.