News, Politics

Oyebanji Deploys 5,000 Grassroots Canvassers to Rally Support for Tinubu and APC Ahead of Key Elections

Published by Samuel Ayomide on March 8th, 2026.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has launched a large-scale grassroots mobilisation campaign with the inauguration of 5,000 community canvassers aimed at boosting support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of upcoming elections.

The initiative was unveiled during a ceremony at the Fajuyi Pavilion in Ado Ekiti, where the governor described the move as a strategic step to strengthen voter mobilisation across communities in preparation for the June 20, 2026 governorship election and the 2027 presidential poll.

Addressing party supporters and volunteers, Oyebanji said the two elections would be crucial in determining the political direction of the state and the nation. He noted that the governorship contest scheduled for 2026 would serve as a significant indicator of the party’s strength ahead of the presidential election the following year.

According to the governor, each of the newly inaugurated canvassers has been tasked with engaging at least 25 potential voters through direct, person-to-person outreach within their communities. The strategy, he explained, is designed to deepen grassroots participation and ensure stronger voter turnout during the elections.

Oyebanji also linked the achievements of his administration to the support and guidance he said his government had received from the president. He cited developments in infrastructure, agriculture, and social welfare programmes as examples of policies that have positively impacted residents of the state.

The governor expressed confidence that the ruling party would secure substantial voter support, projecting at least 500,000 votes in the governorship election and a higher turnout for Tinubu in the presidential race.

He emphasised that modern elections require effective communication with voters at the grassroots level, adding that personal engagement would help canvassers identify supporters and encourage them to participate in the voting process.

Earlier, the Director-General of the Bureau of Community Communication and convener of the initiative, Mary Oso-Omotoso, described the mobilisation drive as a citizen led effort aimed at sustaining leadership that supporters believe has delivered meaningful development.

She noted that the canvassers were drawn from various community groups and grassroots structures, adding that the project was supported by voluntary contributions from individuals committed to the initiative.

Representatives of various groups including artisans, youth organisations, religious communities, private sector advocates, and people living with disabilities ,also addressed the gathering, pledging to support the mobilisation campaign by expanding voter outreach and strengthening engagement within their communities.

Several top state officials attended the event, including Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye and the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye, alongside members of the state executive council and lawmakers.