Adebayo Adenrele
The immediate former Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi has snubbed the statewide endorsement for President Bola Tinubu, Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti and his deputy, Chief Monisade Afuye, which happened on Monday in Ado-Ekiti.
Fayemi, was no where to be found as many political leaders outside All Progressive Congress (APC) converged in Ekiti to endorse Tinubu and Oyebanji for second term in office.
NEWSTODAYNG gathered that there have been rumours making the round that the former governor snubbed the programme over his alleged plan to join the African Democratic Party (ADC) coalition.
Meanwhile, Senate Leader of the National Assembly, Opeyemi Bamidele, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, Ekiti former Governor, Ayodele Fayose, among others have slammed the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition in Ekiti, describing its leaders as destroyers of unity.
The Lawmaker, representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District stated this on Monday in Ado-Ekiti, at the statewide endorsement programme for President Bola Tinubu, Governor Biodun Oyebanji and his deputy, Monisade Afuye held at Ekiti Parapo Pavilion.
Bamidele described the event as a payback engagement for Tinubu and Oyebanji, over their giant strides in various sectors that are revamping the economy of the state and the country at large.
He urged Ekiti residents to be weary of ADC, describing it as a party that doesn’t place premium on people’s welfare but only after their personal and selfish interest.
His words, “This is a payback time, one good time derserves another. Omg good term in political holding deserves another. I congratulate President Bola Tinubu on his endorsement by the people of Ekiti State by another term of office. He took very serious decisions that are today revamping the economy of the county.
“I stand to congratulate BAO and his deputy, they have shown examples how to be humble in power without pulling with an Olympia eye. Ekiti people, do not be deceived by people who will be telling you to go to another party, they call it ADC.
“Anyone that tells you to join ADC, that person wants to spoil your life, that people want to retire you from politics. They want to distabilise the Yoruba race, this is the first endorsement in the southwest for President Tinubu. Ekiti is an APC and progressive state.
“,The leader of opposition in Ekiti, he has said another term of four years for BAT and BAO. If Fayose is doing that, who are the leaders of opposition that will say no? Don’t be deceived by them, we will do free and fair primary and BAO will emerge the winner”.
The endorsement event converged thousands of supporters across the three Senatorial Districts in the state, Associations across parastatals, Unions, all clad in their distinctive regalia, with the atmosphere filled to its maximum capacity.
Other personalities at the event include: three former Governors of the state, Niyi Adebayo, Segun Oni and Ayodele Fayose, former deputy governors; Modupe Adelabu and Biodun Aluko; Senator Yemi Adaramodu of Ekiti South Senatorial District, Senator Cyril Fasuyi of Ekiti North Senatorial District, all the six lawmakers representing the state at the House of Representatives, Members of all Ekiti State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Stephen Aribasoye, former Senators; Olusola Adeyeye and Ayodele Arise, among others.
The Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa commended President Bola Tinubu for the transformative policies he had embarked on for the betterment of Nigeria, saying APC remains the only sustainable party in Ekiti and country at large.
He also declared his support for Oyebanji and deputy, urging Ekiti residents to reject all forms of fellowship from other parties.
The letters of Endorsement of both Tinubu and Oyebanji were presented to the National Secretary of All Progressive Congress (APC), Bashir Ajibola, who would submit them to the National Secretariat of the party.
The APC National Secretary described the frontiers of ADC as betrayals, describing them as those who have benefitted greatly from their previous parties.
“We haeard some betrayals have been making fishy moves in Yoruba land, telling you to move to ADC. APC is supposed to be the only political party for Yorubaland.
“We are delighted to receive this letter of Endorsement. We have confidence that when it comes to election, all and sundry in Ekiti will cast their votes for the President.
“We thank the Governor for the good work he’s doing in the state, this Endorsement is borne out of his good work, that’s why everything is happening”.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Biodun Oyebanji expressed his delight at the Ekiti residents for passing vote of confidence on him as President Bola Tinubu, with a pledge not to disappoint them.
He hailed Tinubu for his transformative policies, which according to him have reshaped the economy of the country, noting that his continuity in government will further bring development to the country.
He urged the residents to get their voter’s cards before the election, adding that the endorsement programme is not a strategy to distract other interested aspirants from contesting.
Another important highlight of the programme was the official defection of notable personalities to the party which include: Former Minority leader of the Senate, Senator Biodun Olujimi, Barrister Obafemi Adewale and the lawmaker reprenting Ise-Orun at the Ekiti House of Assembly, Babatunde Omotayo.
