From Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti State, Dr Wole Oluyede, alongside leaders and members of the party in the state, has vowed to mobilise massively for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
They made the declaration during the official inauguration of the Oluyede Progressive Alliance for Renewed Hope Agenda (OPARHA) on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital. The event attracted party leaders and members from across the 16 local government areas of the state.
According to Oluyede, re-electing Tinubu for another term in office would help his administration strengthen its economic and structural reforms designed to yield long-term benefits.
He disclosed that his decision to support Tinubu came after a recent meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa.
Oluyede stated that the meeting was initiated at the instance of the President, who appealed to him to set aside the outcome of, and all that happened during, the June 20, 2026 governorship election in Ekiti and work with him to secure victory in the coming general elections.
Oluyede said Tinubu did not ask him to leave the PDP but rather appealed to him to work with his administration, while also pledging to support him after securing victory in the 2027 election.
Oluyede also said that he would discontinue his dispute with the state Governor, Biodun Oyebanji. He noted that he was prepared to work with the governor in the interest of Tinubu’s re-election.
“After the election, I went to Abuja with anger because I was humiliated during Ekiti election. President Bola Tinubu sent a message to me that he would call me. Nine days ago, I received a call from the Presidency.
“I have been following Tinubu before he became the President. We were only four people who founded SWAGA. The people claiming leadership of the group were not there.”
He explained that his support for Tinubu was not the same as joining the APC, stressing that the 2027 election should focus on the interests of the people rather than his personal political ambition.
While expressing optimism that the PDP would take over the mantle of leadership in the state at the end of Governor Oyebanji’s tenure in 2030, Oluyede appealed to his supporters and political associates to put behind them the outcome of the June governorship election and unite to achieve decisive victory for Tinubu at the poll.
“The first important thing is that we want to have elections in 2027. It is not about me; it is about my people and it is about president Tinubu.
“President Bola Tinubu didn’t ask me to depart PDP. He told me, ‘Let’s work together for my re-election bid.’
“Tinubu knows our worth. That is why he is appealing to us to support him for his re-election bid. I am appealing to all of us, let us forget about what happened during the Ekiti election. Let us focus on Tinubu’s re-election bid.
“The war is over. I and Governor Biodun Oyebanji will work together for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election. I am no more fighting with Oyebanji. God has given him his victory.
“If you see me in his house, I am not there for myself but for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid. But the next election in Ekiti, PDP is coming back in 2030.”
Oluyede, who pledged to remain in the PDP and work with the President, said his party members were also ready to support and mobilise for the President at the election for the progress and development of the country.
He noted that the formation of the political alliance involved the PDP and some other opposition parties, including Accord, Action Democratic Party (ADP), Young Progressives Party (YPP), Action Alliance (AA) and other political groups in the state.
“We are forming alliances with ADP, YPP, Accord, Action Alliance, and others for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid. They are not working for the monetary aspects but for the progress of the country.”
(The Sun)
