President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday night urged the South West caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to work together towards rescuing Ekiti State from the grips of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Speaking during a dinner which was held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Buhari assured the group of his support and promised not to interfere in the internal affairs of the party at any level.

“I know Ekiti fairly well and Ekiti people are well known for their forthrightness, candour and integrity. All of these values seem to have been lost and we must restore these value and return Ekiti to its pride of place in the comity of states.

“As we approach the 2019 elections, the return of Ekiti into the fold of progressives’ states is important as the election of July 14 is going to be a key pointer to subsequent elections,” Buhari said.

Responding, former Interim Chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande said the delegation, as politicians had come to get some presidential inspiration ahead of the July 14 gubernatorial election in Ekiti State.

“Ekiti belongs to APC and the progressives from the beginning. But unfortunately, it slipped in 2014 because there was some mishandling. So this time, we are all going to queue behind our party so that we can win the state back come July 14,” Akande said.

In attendance at the meeting were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie – Oyegun and a leader of the party, Chief Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

Others present were the party’s governorship candidate for Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, his runner-up in the primary, Chief Segun Oni, Governors Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo) and Tanko Al-Makura (Nasarawa).