By Precious Owolabi, Ado-Ekiti

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has charged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to remain united and embrace new members to strengthen the party ahead of future elections.

Governor Oyebanji made the call on Thursday during an unscheduled visit to the APC Ward 8 meeting in Ado-Ekiti, catching members by surprise.

Speaking at the gathering, the governor stated that his visit was aimed at assessing the punctuality of party members, particularly political office holders, while also expressing appreciation for their steadfast support for the party and his administration.

Expressing satisfaction with the turnout, Oyebanji urged party faithful to foster inclusivity and ensure new and existing members feel a sense of belonging, emphasising that the party’s strength lies in its ability to accommodate diverse views while maintaining unity.

He implored party leaders to promote harmony and swiftly address grievances to ensure every member feels valued and respected.

“I am here for two reasons today. First is to ascertain the number of appointees attending meetings, and second, to thank you for your support for the party and the government. We cannot appoint everybody, yet you remain in the party with the hope that things will get better, and I assure you, by the grace of God, those who were not given appointments will benefit from government initiatives,” the governor said.

“I have only one plea—please, it is the people that make the party, and only through humility and unity can we gather more members. So, please, anyone who wants to join, don’t shut the door on them. Don’t say some people didn’t vote for us during elections or didn’t support us during primaries. It is people that make the party. Whatever we are destined to become in life has been written by God, and nobody can hinder it. So, please, let us keep our doors open so that when elections come, it will be easy for us,” Oyebanji added.

Earlier, the Ward Chairman, Mr Arowolo Tajudeen, who could not hide his excitement, expressed gratitude to the governor for attending the meeting, noting that Oyebanji had made history as the first sitting governor to do so.

He lauded the governor’s developmental strides, which, according to him, have boosted the party’s reputation and attracted more supporters. Tajudeen further stated that Oyebanji’s leadership had laid a solid foundation for the party’s success in future elections.