Former Ekiti State Governors, Mr Ayodele Fayose, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and Otunba Niyi Adebayo have endorsed incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji for second term.
Gatekeepers News reports that the trio gave their backing to Oyebanji on Sunday at a special thanksgiving service organized to mark the first anniversary of his administration which was held at the Cathedral Church of Emmanuel Okesa, Ado Ekiti, the state capital.
The former governors who belong to different political parties said that the unanimous decision was based on the governor’s unique leadership style and development strides recorded within one year in office.
The trio spoke just as the Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele who stood in for the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, offered to served as the the Chairman of Oyebanji’s second term Re-election Campaign Council.
Speaking through Fayose ,a leader of the opposition People Democratic Party, the ex- governors said they have reviewed Oyebanji’s one year in office and come to the conclusion that “there is no vacancy in the government House come 2026”.
Fayose said that Oyebanji meritoriously deserved a second term having placed the state on higher pedestal and united every political and religious tendencies in the state as well as mobilize the people for massive development.
He 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 I will not be. I am with you (Oyebanji) 100 per cent.
“Where is Bisi K ( Chief Bisi Kolawole, PDP governorship candidate)? We are going to support you (Oyebanji), you have come to visit me in my house seven times. 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.”
After Fayose’s speech, former governor Adebayo said: “This is the position of we, the former governors. Thank you very much.”
Also extolling the virtues of the Governor, the Senate Leader,Senator Bamidele said that the incumbent Governor has earned the confidence and trust of the people for a second term.
He said: “Governor Oyebanji entrenching the culture of respect and 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, 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. I am looking forward to being the chairman of your re-election campaign.
In his remarks, Governor Oyebanji said he has handed over the Ekiti state back to God ascribing 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 Ekiti 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 the National Assembly members from the state next week to ensure that the 2024 Federal Budget captures all the concerned roads.
Describing himself as the “servant of the people,” Governor Oyebanji described former governors, National Assembly members from the state, House of Assembly members and party leaders as the windows through which the people of the state can channel their complaints on any perceived wrong noticed in governance.
Other dignitaries at the event included the All Progressives Congress National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru; Ekiti Deputy Governor, Mrs. Monisade Afuye; former Ekiti First Lady, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Barr. Omowumi Ogunlola, former Ekiti Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu; traditional rulers led by the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, among other guests.
