The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the 2026 Ekiti State election, Dr Wole Oluyede, has pledged to mobilise massive support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in the 2027 presidential election, promising to deliver at least 90 per cent of the votes cast in the state for the President.
Oluyede made the pledge on Tuesday at a mobilisation drive and rally organised by his newly formed group, the Oluyede Progressives Alliance for Renewed Hope Agenda, which he convened to galvanise support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election.
He assured Governor Biodun Oyebanji that members of the group and his supporters would embark on a grassroots mobilisation campaign across the 16 local government areas of the state, going from door to door to canvass votes for the President.
Oluyede, who contested the June 20 governorship election on the platform of the PDP, said he was committed to working with his supporters and other stakeholders to ensure that Tinubu secured an overwhelming victory in Ekiti.
He said, ‘I want to thank the PDP for agreeing with me that we are going to support the President. My duty is to ensure that we support him in all the local governments.
‘We are going to win this election with 90 per cent. We are going to work hard to make sure that we deliver 90 per cent for him.
‘These people are already committed. They are going to go door to door in all the 16 local governments to canvass for the President and, on election day, they will stand by him.’
Oluyede also appealed to President Tinubu to reciprocate the support by continuing to prioritise the development of Ekiti State.
He said the mobilisation was aimed at demonstrating that the President enjoyed substantial support across political divides in the state.
Speaking at the event, Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, described Oluyede’s decision to mobilise support for Tinubu as a demonstration of commitment to peace and the development of the state.
Oyebanji said the political alliance was significant because it showed that political differences should not be allowed to undermine the collective interest of Ekiti people.
He commended Oluyede and his supporters for putting aside partisan differences and joining the campaign for Tinubu’s re-election.
The Governor said, ‘I am grateful for your generosity of spirit. I am grateful for your love for Ekiti. I am grateful for your commitment to peace, and I am grateful because I know your capacity.
‘We had an election in Ekiti State, and there was no violence. Nobody was killed. I give God all the glory.
‘Ekiti will be 30 years old in two days. What is happening today speaks to the aspirations of the founding fathers of the state when they were fighting for state creation.’
Oyebanji recalled that during the struggle for the creation of Ekiti State, the founding fathers emphasised unity among the people, irrespective of political, religious or other differences.
He said the development was particularly important because it demonstrated that Ekiti people could work together despite belonging to different political parties.
According to him, the 2027 presidential election should be approached as a collective effort by members of the APC and PDP who support Tinubu, urging them to work together at the ward and local government levels.
The Governor said Tinubu’s re-election was critical to the continued development of Ekiti State, citing federal projects and support which, according to him, had impacted positively on the state.
Oyebanji said, ‘There has never been a President, living or dead, that has been so good to the people of Ekiti State as this one.
‘You voted for me, and he is supporting me. He also said that you should vote for him and that he will ensure that Ekiti develops.’
He urged APC members across the state to cooperate with members of the Oluyede-led alliance and avoid unnecessary rivalry at the grassroots.
Oyebanji said there should be no hostility between APC and PDP members supporting Tinubu, advising them to organise joint meetings and rallies where necessary.
He said the collaboration between him and Oluyede should serve as an example to politicians in the state on the importance of cooperation, peace and putting the interests of the people above partisan considerations.
The Governor also urged supporters of the alliance to mobilise voters at the grassroots, saying the success of the campaign would depend largely on their ability to bring supporters to the polling units on election day.
Oyebanji added that the alliance was an indication that political leaders could put aside personal ambitions and differences when the broader interests of the people were at stake.