… as Hon. Fatoba seeks votes for President Tinubu, other APC candidates
The Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe has challenged leaders and candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to improve the party’s electoral performance in the town, lamenting that Ado-Ekiti recorded only about 38,000 votes in the last governorship election, against its traditional voting strength of 70,000.
The monarch gave the charge while offering royal prayers and blessings to APC candidates and party leaders who visited his palace ahead forthcoming elections .
He expressed concern over the poor electoral performance of the party in the town and questioned the commitment of political appointees and other party stakeholders from Ado-Ekiti during the last governorship election.
Oba Adejugbe urged the candidates to embrace unity, shun unnecessary political disagreements and intensify grassroots mobilisation through house-to-house campaigns to secure greater support from residents.
He also advised them to maintain regular contact with their constituents, work closely with other stakeholders and make the palace their first point of reference on issues affecting the town. He subsequently offered prayers for their political ambitions and reminded elected and appointed office holders of the need to remain accountable to the people.
Speaking on behalf of the party, its spokesperson, Remi Oguntuase, said the delegation visited the palace to seek royal blessings and support from the monarch and the Ewi-in-Council.
He appealed to the traditional institution to continue supporting the political development of Ado-Ekiti, stressing that the town deserved greater recognition and representation at both state and national levels.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, the member representing Ado-Ekiti/Irepodun-Ifelodun Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Olusola Steve Fatoba, described the visit as the beginning of renewed political mobilisation ahead of the forthcoming elections.
Fatoba, who is seeking a third term in the House of Representatives, acknowledged the party’s previous electoral shortcomings, saying its leaders had resolved to address the challenges.
He disclosed that the APC was targeting a threefold increase in its previous votes and called on residents to mobilise their families and communities in support of the party, particularly President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Similarly, the Deputy Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Bolaji Olagbaju Egbeyemi, expressed optimism about the party’s electoral prospects, assuring supporters that the next Assembly would be different, with elected representatives committed to doing more to improve governance and accelerate development.
The APC House of Assembly candidate for Ado Constituency One, Hon. Deji Adarabierin also pledged effective representation, legislative support for beneficial government programmes and meaningful empowerment initiatives. He urged residents to participate actively in the forthcoming elections and support the party’s candidates.
The gathering was attended by about 13 councillorship candidates and six local government chairmanship candidates from Ado-Ekiti, who pledged to work together, strengthen their relationship with the traditional institution and promote the collective interests of the town ahead polls.
