Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji to use his second term to deepen development, promote unity and improve the lives of the people.
Shettima, who spoke at the governor’s inauguration, said Oyebanji should build on the goodwill that earned him another four-year mandate and place the interests of Ekiti above political differences.
He urged the governor to create more opportunities for young people, improve the quality of public services and ensure that the voices of ordinary citizens are not ignored.
The Vice President conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s congratulations to the governor and the people of Ekiti, describing Oyebanji’s re-election as a reward for good performance and the trust he has earned from the electorate.
He said the support enjoyed by the Tinubu administration and the All Progressives Congress (APC) is driven by Nigerians’ understanding that the government’s economic reforms are necessary to secure the country’s future.
According to Shettima, although the reforms have brought temporary hardship, they are aimed at building an economy that rewards hard work, creates more opportunities and ensures public resources are used for the benefit of the people.
He thanked the people of Ekiti for renewing the APC’s mandate and praised Oyebanji for projects in roads, schools, healthcare, electricity and the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport, saying the investments have improved the lives of residents.
The Vice President also described Ekiti as a state that has continued to produce outstanding leaders and assured the governor of the Federal Government’s continued support for the state’s development.
Earlier, Governor Oyebanji thanked God, the people of Ekiti and President Tinubu for their support, promising not to disappoint those who gave him another mandate.
He also appreciated his predecessors for laying the foundation for the state’s development and thanked his opponents in the election for accepting the outcome in the spirit of sportsmanship.
The governor said his administration would continue to prioritise workers’ welfare, infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture, electricity, security and skills development while investing more in programmes that improve the lives of the people.
Oyebanji also appealed to residents of the state to remain united and support the APC in the forthcoming general elections.