As part of his consultation visits to party leaders and members across the state, the governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, continued his tour of the state on Thursday to seek support for the January 22, 2022 governorship primaries to pick the candidate that will square it up with the candidates of other parties in a crunch isolated poll that will produce Governor Kayode Fayemi’s successor in the June 18, 2022 governorship election.
On Day Two of the five-day visits, Oyebanji’s convoy of party leaders and supporters rolled into Otun-Ekiti, Ido-Ekiti and Ijero-Ekiti amid drumming and dancing by party supporters.
At Otun-Ekiti, Ido-Ekiti and Ijero-Ekiti were Mr Samuel Abejide and other state leaders, including the former State Chairman of the party, Chief Jide Awe, who presented Oyebanji to party leaders, members and supporters on behalf of the state’s party leadership at the occasions anchored by former Publicity Secretary of the party, Taiwo Olatubosun.
Olatubosun described Oyebanji as the most competent to govern the state owing to his personal integrity, generous spirit and cognate experience that are key to the sustenance of the programmes and policy of Governor Kayode Fayemi that would lift Ekiti people out of poverty.
Abejide urged support of members for Oyebanji in a non-violent manner, stressing that even though other aspirants are free to canvass suppport for their aspirations, Oyebanji is an aspirant who had been tested to do the job.
He urged aggrieved members to sheathe their swords even as he asked members to continue mobilising credible people into the APC’s fold for collective efforts to make Ekiti State great.
Speaking in the same vein, Awe, who described Oyebanji as a well-brought up politician,urged members to close ranks. He assured that another visit would be paid by leaders to further cement relationships with all members.
He urged leaders and party functionaries to take Oyebanji to every nook and cranny of the state for support ahead of the primaries and June 18, 2022 governorship election.
At Otun-Ekiti, Oyebanji was presented with a Holy Bible, which the leaders said would guide him through campaigns and eventual victory in the June 2022 poll, even as the aspirant burst into holy hymns and people joined in chorus.
He prayed for God’s protection for all so that they do not work in vain, saying that the main contestant is the party, with him as the symbol of the party. He said he was the most qualified to do the job among other aspirants.
Oyebanji explained: “I have spent 11 years working with Ekiti State govermment since its creation 25 years ago and so I know the terrain and I understand what our people need. I have learnt the ropes from Governor Niyi Adebayo and Governor Fayemi and so if anybody is deceiving you that he will fix Ekiti State, ask him where he got his experience.”
He added that the party leadership saw the quality in him, hence their support to seek election in 2022 poll.
Going memory lane, he spoke about when he as a 26 years old he went to join Ekiti leaders on the Committee on the Creation of Ekiti State at the Ewi’s Palace in Ado-Ekiti with a position paper, saying that at first, the leaders never took him serious until they read his paper, which, he said, the leaders adopted and then chose him as the Secretary of the committee.
He urged violence-free contest, promising to deliver a quality leadership for Ekiti people.
At Ido-Ekiti, Cyril Fasuyi, who recalled his past experiences with Oyebanji, described him as a forthright politician. He prayed for his success at polls.
At Ijero, Omoleye told supporters that he and Oyebanji are one working to ensure the success and consolidation of Fayemi’s legacies.
The high point of the visits was the presentation of Oyebanji to the people by all elected and appointed members to the people in the three local governments, who described Oyebanji as a trustworthy and caring politician.
In the entourage are foremost Oyebanji’s supporters, Tade Aluko and Deji Ajayi, in company of other top leaders, including Folorunso Olabode, Prof Adio Folayan, Oska Ayeleso, Gbenga Agbeyo, Abiodun Faweku, Siki Adeola, Tunde Aladegbemi, Yomi Ayorinde, Rotimi Afolabi, Abiola Olowokere, Yemisi Ayokunle, Kayode Babade, Oluremi Ajayi, Demola Obanise, Femi Awe, Rotimi Ajidara and Remi Osabusua.
Others at the events also included Baba Michael Atejioye, Otunba Dayo Famoyegun, L.A Kolawole, Chief Olaiya, Chief Dada, Femi Arije, Femi Olanrewaju (Ijakoko), Soga Davis, Raphael Adekunle, Chief Remi Oguntuase, Cyril Fasuyi, Tolu Ibitola, Princess Bunmi Agunbiade, Bola Adewumi, Chief Kemi Olaleye, Bunmi Oriniowo, Yemi Alatise, Tope Ogunleye, Funke Owolabi, Dele Owoju, Febisola Adewale, Oluyemi Esan, Kayode Olaosebikan, Bayo Borisade, Sunkanmi Onipede and Ayoka Olajide.
Also present are: the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Biodun Omoleye; Barrister Dele Oloje, Femi Fadahunsi, Akinloye Akinyemi, Engr Tunde Fakoyede, Hon Kayode Fasakin, Dolamu Adeniyi, Hon Folorunso Ogundele, Adekunle Peter Mayegun, Taiwo Olatunbosu, Dapo Karounwi, Bunmi Awotiku, Bode Adeniyi, Adeoye Aribasoye, Fola Richie-Adewusi. Lawrence Olatunbosu, Hon Omobepade, Chief Jide Ogunbiyi, Ilufemiloye Ajibola and Femi Bobade Adebob.
Present also are: James Awe, Jonathan Atibioke, Mr Folowosele, Ayo Awe, Adeola Adeyemo, Dupe Bakare, Sunday Awoyomi, Chief Onigemo, Baba Vitamin, Mr Adumati, Mr Awoyomi, Ojo Atibioke and Chief Remi Balogun.
Wole Olujobi, reporting from Otun, Ido and Ijero-Ekiti.
