Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has expressed appreciation to the people of the state for their overwhelming support, which culminated in his re-election in the June 20 governorship poll.

The governor said he remained deeply grateful to Ekiti people for standing united to give him a renewed four-year mandate and for ensuring that the election was conducted peacefully and orderly across all 16 local government areas of the state.

Oyebanji secured a landslide victory in the election, winning all 177 wards and the 16 local government areas.

In a statement issued in Ado Ekiti on Monday by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, the governor also extended an olive branch to the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, Wole Oluyede, and the African Democratic Congress, Dare Bejide, urging them to join hands with him in building a more prosperous Ekiti State.

He said he was indebted to the people for the historic re-election and for setting what he described as a benchmark for peaceful elections in the country.

The governor noted that Saturday’s election was peaceful “because of the exemplary conduct of the people before, during, and after the electioneering period, which lasted about three months.”

He added that leaders and stakeholders across all segments of society deserved commendation for sustaining peace throughout the electoral process.

Oyebanji said, “I owe all Ekiti sons and daughters, at home and in the diaspora, a debt of gratitude for their overwhelming support and for the fresh mandate to serve for another four years. This is truly humbling, and I do not take the trust for granted.

“Very importantly, I thank Ekitikete for their deliberate commitment to ensuring a peaceful election, devoid of violence or bloodshed, thereby setting a new standard for electoral conduct.

“Our profound appreciation goes to our traditional rulers for promoting peace in their domains, as well as to leaders of political parties and religious bodies for preaching and exemplifying peaceful coexistence.

“We also extend our sincere gratitude to former Governors of the state – Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Chief Ayodele Fayose, Engr. Segun Oni, and Dr Kayode Fayemi – for their support for the administration and commitment to the unity and progress of Ekiti State.

“Special thanks to serving and former members of the National and State Assemblies, members of the State Executive Council, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, and the Campaign Council led by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele.

“We commend the heads and personnel of all security agencies, including the Army, Police, DSS, and other paramilitary bodies, for their professionalism and for the effective inter-agency collaboration in ensuring peace before, during, and after the election.

“We are equally grateful to members of our great party, the All Progressives Congress, for their dedication and magnanimity in victory, as well as to leaders of labour unions, workers, teachers, local government employees, the media, youth and students’ bodies, artisans, market women, transport unions, and commercial motorcyclists.”

Oyebanji also noted the significant improvement in the conduct of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission, describing it as a marked advancement over previous exercises in the state.

He attributed the improvement to the dedication of INEC staff and the impact of the Electoral Act signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.

The governor reiterated his commitment to working harder and more efficiently to deliver greater dividends of democracy during his second term.

He also expressed gratitude to God for the successes recorded by his administration over the past three years and eight months.