By Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti
The Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Stephen Aribasoye, on Saturday joined the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Students’ Engagement, Comrade Sunday Asefon, to lead a massive youth solidarity march in support of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, marking a strong and symbolic take-off of the Ekiti governorship campaign.
The rally, which drew over 10,000 youths and students, kicked off at the All Progressives Congress (APC) Secretariat in the Ajilosun area of Ado-Ekiti, moved through major streets of the state capital, and terminated at the Fajuyi Park axis amid excitement and widespread public interest.
Addressing the enthusiastic crowd, Speaker Aribasoye charged Ekiti youths to embrace peace, political maturity, and active civic participation as the state prepares for the June governorship election. He stressed that youth involvement remains critical to sustaining democracy and consolidating the gains recorded under the current administration.
The Speaker also commended the convener of the march, Comrade Sunday Asefon, a former President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), for what he described as his unwavering commitment to progressive ideals and effective mobilisation of students and young people in support of good governance.
“This outing reflects the confidence of Ekiti youths in the leadership of Governor Oyebanji and President Tinubu, whose policies and people-oriented programmes continue to resonate across generations,” Aribasoye said.
Participants at the march openly expressed their support for the BAO/PBAT project, citing achievements in governance, infrastructure, youth empowerment and inclusive leadership as key factors driving their endorsement.
The event is regarded as the first major and colourful political mobilisation since the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially signalled the commencement of campaigns for the Ekiti governorship election earlier this week.
Observers say the turnout and coordination of the rally underscore the growing momentum behind the APC’s campaign in the state and set the tone for intensified political activities in the months ahead.
Describing the rally as a loud and confident take-off, Speaker Aribasoye noted that the journey to the governorship election has begun, assuring that broader coalitions and greater political forces would emerge as the campaign progresses.