It’s new dawn in Ekiti, as Oyebanji takes over reigns of power as Governor
*I’ll make Ekiti land of abundance – New Governor
*Tinubu expects 95% Ekiti votes for him at presidential election
By OUR REPORTER
Sunday the 16th of October 2022 becomes a day not to be wished away in a hurry as far as history of Ekiti State administration is concerned.
This day Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, who until recently was Secretary to the State Government, took his oath of office as the state’s brand new Governor at an event filled with colours and glitters and attended by crème de la crème of the society including the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s Presidential Candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ondo State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), Governor of Plateau State and Director General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council (APCPCC), Sir Solomon Lalong, and traditional rulers including notably Attah and Paramount Ruler of Ayede Kingdom, Ekiti State, Oba Alhaji AbdulMumini Adebayo Orishagbemi, and the Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Alabi.
Oyebanji was sworn in by the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Hon. Justice Oyewole Adeyeye, at exactly 12:53 pm amid cheers from the mammoth crowd present.
Clad in white agbada with a cream cap to match, he pledged to preserve, protect and defend as well as preserve the office as governor.
Oyebanji’s deputy, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, was also sworn in by the Chief Judge of Ekiti State. She took her oath of office at exactly 12:46 pm.
Other dignitaries present to join in event lace up with honours to honour Oyebanji into Oke Isa included the Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi) and Isiaka Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), who was represented by his Deputy Governor, Adegboyega Alabi among others, while the immediate past Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and his predecessor, Ayodele Fayose were also at the Ekiti Parapo Pavillion, the venue of the inauguration.
The august occasion was also attended by the Minister of Trade Industry and Investment, who is first Fourth Republic Governor of the state, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, the outgoing Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, Ekiti Speaker Funminiyi Afuye, former Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar, former Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonsakin (Rtd), former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Azubike Iherijika (Rtd), the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, and Nasarawa State Deputy Governor and his Borno State counterpart.
Traditional rulers, who graced the occasion to honour the new governor included the Attah and Paramount Ruler of Ayede Kingdom, Ekiti State, Oba Alhaji AbdulMumini Adebayo Orishagbemi, and the Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Alabi.
The DEFENDER reports that Oyebanji served as the former Secretary to the State Governor under the Fayemi Administration before he resigned to pick up the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket and went through the two level process of governorship primary and main election to emerge as Governor-elect.
Having contested the June 18 governorship poll, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji polled 187,057 votes to beat his closest rival, Segun Oni of the Social Democratic Party, who garnered 82,211 votes and Otunba Bisi Kolawole of the Peoples Democratic Party, who raked in 67,457 votes.
The Ikogosi-Ekiti-born governor is described as a grassroot politician. His emergence as governor, this online newspaper can authoritatively report, was through an unprecedentedly free, fair and credible electoral process that has offered a platform for a thoroughbred local politician to govern Ekiti State for the first time.
Jubilant crowds in different ‘aso-ebi’ attire from different towns of the state as well as visitors that thronged the Ado-Ekiti from neighbouring states to witness the inauguration of Biodun Oyebanji occupied all the available seats in the pavilion and the main bowl was not left out as they struggle with police for space.
Shortly after his inauguration and motorcade parade, while addressing the jubilant crowds that thronged the pavilion venue of the event, located along new Iyin Road, to honour him, the new Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, promised to run an all-inclusive governance that would make Ekiti a land where prosperity, Abundance, unity and equity will thrive and blossom.
Governor Oyebanji assured to run a government that would place high premium on human capital development, agriculture and rural development, infrastructure and industrialization , arts, culture and tourism, and, above all, good governance to transform Ekiti and make it a microcosm of development.
He eulogised all that had led the state before him in various capacities, saying they must have done that under different political parties, but stated that the mission was one and which was solely to develop the state.
He particularly commended Dr. Fayemi for ushering in a strong and enviable development to the state, promising to consolidate further and use his legacy as a springboard to catapult Ekiti to a higher economic and social pedestals.
He acknowledged the fact that Ekiti people shared different political views and political inclinations, but that he would not allow his political leaning to influence his relationships with all Ekiti or jettison the principle of fairness, equity and fair-play.
The new Governor added that he would promote the spirit of a united force that Ekiti is renowned for, and which has been the binding force since the pre-colonial era to promote peace, unity and stability in the state.
“Ekiti Kete!” He screamed to the jubilant crowds who responded to the affirmative and he continued his address.
“Today is a great day for us, and we should all be proud. Today, we are observing history being made, and a new chapter of our story being written.
“It was in this spirit of oneness that they bound together as a united Ekiti confederacy and emerged victorious against external forces that sought to subjugate us in our own land. In unity of purpose, they fought and contained attempts to dominate us at different epochs in our history.
“This same spirit of unity has been passed down generations, and guided the founding fathers and mothers who built on efforts made since the Second Republic, and led the successful struggle for the creation of our own Ekiti State. This was a struggle led by our revered traditional rulers and prominent citizens which resulted in Ekiti becoming the only entirely homogeneous state in Nigeria”.
Oyebanji posited that his vision is to make Ekiti a land of prosperity, where equity, justice, fair-play and stability will thrive.
“My vision is for Ekiti State to be a land of prosperity, opportunity, peace and progress. A land in which transformed people and communities can reap the fruits of their labour in dignity, good health and safety. A land of honour where integrity matters. For this vision to be actualised we need to focus on a roadmap to get there”.
He said he will zealously prosecute the recently unveiled vision 2050 economic roadmap initiated by Fayemi to make Ekiti a model, saying : “I assure you that by God’s grace and the support of our people , together With You, We Will Keep Ekiti Working.”
Giving his remarks, Asiwuju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose presidency success Oyebanjo has as immediate challenge coming in less than about five months time ahead, urged Ekiti electorate to continually support the All Progressives Congress (APC) in all elections, especially in 2023.
Tinubu said he expected Ekiti voters to deliver 95 percent of votes to him, knowing that he remains the best among all the contenders for the Nigeria’s highest office that is the presidential seat.
“Someone called himself Abubakar Atiku while someone said he is Peter Obi, if they come to you, tell them you don’t know them. Tell them the only person you know is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“I commend you for voting Biodun Oyebanji in the governorship election. Some termites came in the name of politics to steal your votes, but you resisted them. In 2023, shine your eyes and prevent vote riggers from stealing your votes. Vote APC, It is the only party that can give you good governance”.
