Ekiti ex-governors, Bamidele endorse Oyebanji for second term

Former governors of Ekiti state, Adeniyi Adebayo, Ayodele Fayose, Dr Kayode Fayemi and the senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, have all endorsed the state governor, Biodun Oyebanji for a second term in office.

The three former Governors who belong to different political parties and spoke through Fayose of the People’s Democratic (Party) said they have reviewed Oyebanji’s one year in office and believe he deserved a second term, having united every political and religious tendency in the state and mobilize the people for massive development.

Senator Bamidele, on his part, said he would be glad to be the chairman of Oyebanji’s second term re-election campaign council, stressing that the incumbent Governor has earned the confidence and trust of the people for a second term.

The leaders spoke on Sunday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, during a special thanksgiving service organized to mark the first anniversary of Oyebanji’s administration, which was held at the Cathedral Church of Emmanuel Okesa, Ado Ekiti and attended by eminent personalities from all walks of life.

Fayose, who was elected to speak by Adebayo and Fayemi, said, “You know me very well that I am not the one who will tell you what you like. I will always tell you as it is. We are all together for Abiodun Oyebanji. I am not a member of your party (APC) and will not be. I am with you (Oyebanji) 100 per cent.

” We are going to support you (Oyebanji), you have come to visit me in my house seven times in one year. You are doing it differently, and you will get a different result. This church will pray for you, and you will do it (governorship) a second time.”

The senate leader, who had earlier given his remarks before the former governors, said political leaders and people of Ekiti are proud of the performance of Oyebanji and what God is doing in the state through the Governor, adding that “Ekiti is set for the next level under Oyebanji.”

According to the senator representing Ekiti central district, “Governor Oyebanji entrenching the culture of respect and the culture of performance. He is lucky to have Governors Adebayo, Fayose and Fayemi as mentors and advisers. What he is doing differently is that he is giving the state a new political order, uniting various groups where youths, women, and civil societies consider themselves as stakeholders.

“You are an example of being in power and humble. I am here because of your humility and because you are real. If you are not real, I will keep a distance. When you become a second term Governor, you will be the most ranking progressive Governor and the most ranking Governor in Nigeria.

“I am looking forward to being the chairman of your re-election campaign if Jesus Christ tarries in his coming and God spares our lives.”

Earlier in his sermon, the Bishop of the Diocese of Ekiti, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, the Rt Rev Olusola Ajayi, had hailed Oyebanji for making a positive impact in the lives of the people of the state in the last year, saying “Ekiti should continue to celebrate the greatness of God and His power manifesting in the works of the Governor.”

Delivering a sermon entitled “Rejoicing in the Lord”, which was taken from Psalm 150:1-6, the Rt. Rev. Ajayi said the people of the state needed to praise God and rejoice because the Governor has set Ekiti on the path of greater development and delivering compassionate and purposeful leadership.

He described Oyebanji as “a Christian politician, a Christian who is on politics for the good of his people,” adding that “this is a man who promised to turn around the fortunes of the state with his five pillars agenda and today, Ekiti people are happy with him because he is keeping his promises.”

In his remarks, Governor Oyebanji said he has handed over the state back to God ascribing the glory of the achievements of the last one year to God whom he said has made them possible for the benefit of the people.

He explained, “Today is about God in our life as a people of Ekiti State. What struck me in the sermon by the bishop is what God has done in our state and we return all the glory to God.

“It is not because I am the best person in the state or because I know how to do it; it’s not because I am the most brilliant, all is by the grace of God. For the little we have achieved, I give God the glory.”

The Governor who said he counted himself lucky to be standing on the shoulders the former Governors whom he described as “giants” stressed that he has no excuse to fail the people of the state urging his predecessors to always be there for him in guiding him and counselling him at the needed time.

He also allayed the fear of the traditional rulers and the people of the state on the condition of federal roads in the state disclosing that he would meet with National Assembly members from the state next week to ensure that the 2024 Federal Budget captures all the concerned roads.

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