Ekiti 2026: VP Shettima Drums Support For Oyebanji’s Reelection At APC Mega Rally

Says governor’s 2nd term bid is a ticket that deserves renewal, an investment in state’s progress, peace, future

By: Our Reporter

Reiterates FG’s resolve to work with state in deepening development, expanding opportunity, strengthening security

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima , Monday, embarked on a last-minute campaign for the reelection of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, for a second term in office ahead of Saturday’s gubernatorial election in Ekiti State.

He told the people of the state that the joint ticket of Governor Oyebanji and his deputy, Chief Mrs. Monisade Afuye, is a ticket of balance, experience, and continuity that deserves renewal, noting that instead of a routine contest in Saturday’s governorship poll, Ekiti is standing at the gate of a larger Nigerian journey.

Speaking in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, during the APC Grand Finale Mega Rally, Senator Shettima, who represented President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, maintained that continuity for Governor Oyebanji is an investment in the peace, progress, and future of the state.

Joined at the mega rally by APC governors, party leaders, National Assembly members and Ministers, among others, the Vice President said, “The task before you is simple, sacred, and historic. Go out and vote. Speak to your neighbours. Speak to your families. Speak to your wards, your unions, your communities, and your friends. Tell them that continuity in Ekiti is not a favour to one man. It is an investment in the peace, progress, and future of this state.

“And so I ask you, sons and daughters of this proud land, to march to the polling units in your numbers and cast your votes for Biodun Oyebanji and his worthy Deputy, Mrs. Monisade Afuye. Give them the mandate to finish the work they have so faithfully begun. Stand with them as steadfastly as they have stood with you.”

VP Shettima noted that the mammoth crowd that gathered at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, venue of the mega rally in Ado Ekiti, is an indication that the people of the state are together with the APC and the government at the centre, in the journey to make Nigeria better, just as he extended the goodwill of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that Ekiti State remains dear to the government.

Drumming support for Governor Oyebanji and his deputy, he said, rather than approaching leadership as a theatre, the governor understands that “government must touch the market woman, the teacher, the civil servant, the farmer, the student, the driver, the trader, and the family waiting for hope at the end of each month.”

Senator Shettima stated that Governor Oyebanji has shown dedication to the welfare of Ekiti people, carried himself with humility, governed with patience, and listened with respect, while working “with the calm strength of a man who knows that power is a loan from the people.”

He continued: In Governor Oyebanji, Ekiti has a son who did not come to experiment with the state. He came prepared. He came with knowledge of the land. He came with respect for elders, with regard for institutions, and with a heart open to the young.

“He has not spent his time fighting shadows. He has spent it building bridges, strengthening trust, and keeping the machinery of government focused on service.”

Describing the joint ticket as one of balance, experience, and continuity that has worked, and therefore deserves renewal, VP Shettima said APC’s stability is not an accident but a “product of sacrifice by noble leaders like Governor Oyebanji, leaders who understand that politics without discipline becomes confusion, and ambition without order becomes injury to the people.

He observed that while other political parties “are busy fighting themselves, quarrelling over chairs, tearing their roofs in the rain, and asking the people to trust them with a house they cannot keep standing,” the the APC has stayed together, disagreeing with maturity and resolved its differences purpose.

He promised that the President Tinubu-led Federal Government will work hand in hand with the governor, his deputy, and the people of Ekiti “to deepen development, expand opportunity, support enterprise, strengthen security, and widen the road to shared prosperity.”

Also, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described Oyebanji “as the most friendly parliamentary governor in Nigeria,” stating that the governor has performed excellently and deserves to be reelected by the people of the state.

“Therefore, on election day when you go to the polling unit and collect the ballot paper, look for the broom and once you vote for the broom you have voted for the continuity of good governance of Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State,” he said.

Similarly, APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, said the governor’s style of leadership exemplifies the true philosophy of what the APC stands for.

He applauded the governor’s achievements in education, health services delivery and infrastructure development, saying “I saw the roads that you have constructed; take a bow and take your votes.”

Earlier, Governor Oyebanji thanked President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for their tremendous support towards the progress and development of the state since they assumed office in 2023.

The governor, who expressed gratitude to the people of Ekiti for entrusting him with their mandate, appealed to them to shun all forms of violence before, during and after the June 20 gubernatorial election in the state.

“I don’t have much to say rather than to thank the people of Ekiti State. Close to four years ago, we entered into a social contract with you that we will serve you. You can attest to the fact that with the help of God and the support of Mr. President, we have served you well.

“My plea to you on Saturday is that, go out and cast your votes for the APC. Our symbol is the broom and when you vote for the broom you are voting for the continuation of our shared prosperity agenda. Please be at peace with your self. Don’t fight with anybody. Let us exercise our civil duty to celebrate democracy,” Oyebanji said.

Before proceeding to the venue of the mega rally, the Vice President paid homage to the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, HRH Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, where he thanked the royal father, saying he not merely a presentation of the antiquity but a symbol of Ekiti people’s heritage.

Urging the citizens to come out enmass for the election, he said this is the first time and incumbent governor of Ekiti would be elected for a second term in office.

The VP also urged the traditional rulers to join hands with the governor for the development of Ekiti State, citing federal appointments the state has benefited under the Tinubu administration.

Earlier, the Ewi of Ado Ekiti expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for their efforts to boost the education sector, including the establishment of NelFund, which he said has assisted many Ekiti indigenes.

The Traditional ruler also noted that the Tinubu administration has done a lot in terms of transport infrastructure, citing the Lagos – Calabar coastal road and other trunk A roads across the country as a testament to infrastructural development in the country.

The Vice President also met with members of the Ekiti State Traditional Rulers Council at Government House, where he assured them of President Tinubu’s support for the traditional institution.

The Chairman of the Council and the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, HRM Oba Adu Adejimi Alagbado, thanked Vice President Shettima for coming back to Ekiti, saying it is an indication of the love Mr. President has shown to the state.

Noting that the Tinubu administration has benefited Ekiti people, he pledged the support of all the traditional rulers to the administration and to ensure that the governor and the President are reelected for a second term.

Ekiti 2026: VP Shettima Drums Support For Oyebanji’s Reelection At APC Mega Rally

CBDA Suspends Controversial Asset Disposal After Gov. Zulum’s Intervention and Scrutiny

By Zagazola Makama

The Chad Basin Development Authority (CBDA) has suspended a controversial asset disposal exercise following sustained opposition from the Borno State Government, by Gov. Babagana Zulum, after allegations by some staff members over the scope and transparency of the process went viral.

The suspension was announced in a statement issued by the Authority’s Public Relations Officer and Head of Information Unit, Mr Muhammed Bukar Alibe, who said the exercise involved only unserviceable and obsolete assets certified beyond economic repair by technical inspectors from the Federal Ministry of Works.

The suspension comes after weeks of mounting concerns over plans to dispose of equipment and machinery belonging to the authority, a move feared by most people could significantly weaken the agency’s capacity to support irrigation farming and agricultural development across the Lake Chad Basin region in the North East.

According to the statement, the Authority halted the disposal process after consultations with stakeholders and in consideration of prevailing security restrictions in Borno State. The statement further maintained that no scrap materials had been authorised or released for disposal and reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to transparency, accountability and the protection of public assets.

In its latest statement, the management of the authority said the exercise involved only obsolete and unserviceable items certified beyond economic repair and that the process had been suspended after consultations with stakeholders and consideration of security restrictions affecting movement of scrap materials in Borno State.

However, sources familiar with developments surrounding the exercise dispute that explanation, insisting that concerns raised by the Borno State Government, the media and other stakeholders in the state played a decisive role in forcing the suspension.

Sources told Zagazola that Gov. Babagana Zulum had expressed strong reservations over reports that operational agricultural and engineering equipment could be removed from CBDA facilities under an asset disposal programme.

According to the sources, the governor warned that any attempt to strip the authority of equipment critical to irrigation, water supply and agricultural production would undermine ongoing efforts to revive farming activities in communities recovering from years of insurgency.

The sources said the governor subsequently engaged senior officials of the authority and conveyed the state’s opposition to any disposal exercise that could affect serviceable assets acquired with public funds.

“He even warned that if they insisted, he will report directly to Mr President,”said the sources.

The controversy first gained national attention after whistleblowers within the authority raised concerns over the scope of the proposed disposal programme, alleging that equipment earmarked for auction went beyond obsolete materials and included assets considered essential to the agency’s operations.

The allegations triggered widespread concern among stakeholders in Borno and other beneficiary states of the Chad Basin Development Authority.

The matter was earlier scrutinized when the Senate Committee on Water Resources and Sanitation summoned the management of the authority and requested detailed records relating to the disposal process, including valuation reports, approval documents and asset registers.

The committee said it was exercising its constitutional oversight responsibilities to determine whether all statutory requirements had been complied with in the proposed disposal exercise.

Gov. Zulum later publicly warned against the removal of heavy-duty agricultural and engineering equipment from facilities belonging to the authority, arguing that such assets remained critical to food production, irrigation development and economic recovery across the North-East.

He stressed that equipment procured with public resources should be preserved and deployed to support agricultural productivity rather than removed in a manner that could undermine the authority’s mandate.

The governor also reminded stakeholders that Borno State maintains restrictions on scrap metal activities because of security concerns and the role such activities have previously played in facilitating criminal networks.

CBDA Suspends Controversial Asset Disposal After Gov. Zulum’s Intervention and Scrutiny

Senate to Enact Stronger Laws to Tackle Rising Drug Abuse

By: Michael Mike

The Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics has thrown its weight behind the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), pledging stronger legislative backing and tougher laws to support the country’s escalating battle against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

The commitment came on Monday during a courtesy visit by the newly appointed Chairman of the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, Senator Joseph Ikpea, to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), at the agency’s national headquarters in Abuja.

In a move that signals renewed collaboration between the National Assembly and the anti-narcotics agency, Ikpea assured Marwa that the Senate would provide the legal and policy support needed to strengthen drug control efforts, expand rehabilitation programmes and intensify preventive campaigns among Nigerian youths.

The senator, who represents Edo Central Senatorial District, said his visit was aimed at fostering a closer partnership with NDLEA and learning from Marwa’s experience in public service.

“I am here to learn and partner with you so that our children who have gone into drug abuse can be rehabilitated, while others are prevented from falling into the drug trap through massive awareness creation and sensitisation programmes,” Ikpea said.

He praised Marwa’s record as former Military Governor of old Borno State, former Military Administrator of Lagos State and his leadership of NDLEA, describing him as a committed and result-oriented public servant.

According to him, the Senate is ready to support the agency through legislative interventions and reforms capable of addressing the growing drug menace in the country.

“We are happy to work with you and support you in all of these because we know you are already doing a great job but not getting as much as you need to do the work. We will partner with you through legislative support and necessary laws to subdue the drug problem in our country,” he stated.

Responding, Marwa described drug abuse and trafficking as a major threat driving several social and security challenges in Nigeria and across the world.

He, however, said NDLEA had recorded significant successes in recent years, including dismantling major transnational drug cartels, arresting high-profile drug barons and weakening criminal networks through the seizure and forfeiture of assets linked to illicit drug operations.

Marwa attributed the agency’s achievements to the support of President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly and the judiciary.

“The drug problem is a major challenge that is at the root of some other social issues, not only in Nigeria but globally. However, we are doing our level best to curb the scourge and we are getting impressive results,” he said.

The NDLEA boss assured the committee chairman of the agency’s readiness to deepen collaboration with the Senate in advancing both drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction strategies nationwide.

He expressed confidence that Ikpea’s leadership of the Senate committee would further strengthen the national response to drug abuse and trafficking.

The meeting comes amid growing concerns over rising substance abuse among young Nigerians and increasing efforts by authorities to dismantle organised drug trafficking networks operating within and outside the country.

Senate to Enact Stronger Laws to Tackle Rising Drug Abuse