Adebayo Adenrele
Former Ekiti state governor, Segun Oni, has endorsed the incumbent governor of the state, Biodun Oyebanji for second term.
This was just as he declared his intention not to contest for the 2026 governorship election in the state.
Oni, who announced his withdrawal from partisan politics for now, said he took the decision after reflecting on the trajectory of his political life and old age.
He announced this on Sunday, September 1, while addressing newsmen in his country home in Ifaki-Ekiti, Ido-Osi Council Area of Ekiti State ahead of his 70th Birthday.
The former governor, who ran for the July 18, 2022, governorship poll in the state under the Social Democratic Party (SDP), stated that he had ceased being a member of any political party.
Oni added that his doors are open to any individual or group of individuals for his advice on any issue, assuring that he would respond freely to the best of his ability.
He said: “Here I am, held up with no membership in any party. For now, I’m not interested in joining any political party for now. I don’t think I will re-contest, but nobody knows tomorrow.”
“I don’t have a political party, but I have people, some of whom are here, that I know I still owe. I owe them, even if it’s just advice, and I offer it free because I am now getting older.”
Speaking on governance in Ekiti State, Oni lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for his unique leadership style which he said has closed the gap between people and government even more than he did when he was in the saddle.
He said that the governor has revved up the pedals of development in the state, adding that his inclusive approach to governance has further fostered unity and peace in the state, thereby creating an environment conducive to growth and prosperity.
On endorsing Governor Oyebanji for the second term, Oni said: “Of all of us, he has been best at bringing people closer; if that be an endorsement, so be it.
“Let me see those who will line themselves against him, and let me see if there is anyone I will prefer; if there is none, then my endorsement will make better sense then.”