By Imisioluwa Afunmiso
The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) governorship candidate for Ekiti State, Pastor Ayodele Olaniyi Praise, has unveiled a comprehensive policy roadmap aimed at tackling corruption, unemployment, inflation, and insecurity ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
Speaking on Friday during a webinar hosted by NewsDirect TV titled “Ekiti 2026: Looking Beyond Promises,” the candidate announced that his administration would establish an independent state-level accountability body.
This agency, modeled after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), would be tasked with monitoring public office holders and government institutions to ensure transparency and accountability across all branches of government.
Regarding employment and economic stability, Pastor Ayodele disclosed plans to create over 1,000 jobs specifically targeting the youth.
He also prioritized agriculture as a primary tool for economic growth and inflation control. His administration intends to partner with farmers through enhanced education and support systems designed to stabilize food prices and boost overall agricultural productivity.
“We are putting agriculture at the forefront of our plans. We will collaborate with farmers, provide better education, and build systems that can help control the prices of goods,” he stated.
In the education sector, the PRP candidate promised to subsidize tuition fees for primary and secondary school pupils.
He also vowed to introduce policies to curb the exploitation of university students, particularly regarding housing.
This includes implementing regulatory measures to monitor landlords and prevent arbitrary rent hikes. His broader vision is to elevate Ekiti’s public universities to a standard where they can compete effectively with private institutions.
“Our plan is to make public universities attractive and competitive enough for parents to confidently move their children from private universities to public institutions,” he explained.
Addressing the curriculum, he noted that while the federal government largely determines educational standards, the state has the flexibility to make learning more practical. His administration aims to promote entrepreneurship and vocational empowerment programs to equip students with the skills necessary for self-reliance after graduation.
The governorship candidate further touched upon improving electricity supply and strengthening state security.
He emphasized the need for the strategic deployment of security personnel across major roads and vulnerable areas to prevent criminal activities and ensure public safety.