Adebayo Adenrele
…as Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele volunteers to chair re-election Committee
In an uncommon political development, former Ekiti State Governors, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, Chief Ayodele Fayose and Dr. Kayode Fayemi on Sunday unanimously endorsed incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji for a second term in office.
The trio hailed Governor Oyebanji based on his unique leadership style and development strides.
The three former Governors who belong to different political parties and spoke through Fayose said they have reviewed Oyebanji’s one year in office and believe he deserved a second term, having united every political and religious tendencies in the state and mobilize the people for massive development.
They all gave their backing to Governor 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 and attended by eminent personalities from all walks of life.
Also extolling the virtues of the Governor, the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, who represented the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio at the service, offered to serve as the Chairman of Oyebanji’s Re-election Campaign.
Earlier, the Bishop of the Diocese of Ekiti, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, the Rt. Rev. Olusola Ajayi, had hailed Oyebanji for making positive impact in the lives of the people of the state in the last one year saying “Ekiti should continue to celebrate the greatness of God and His power manifesting in the works of the Governor.”
Dr. Fayemi had said: “We are Ekiti and we are ranking, even among governors, we are ranking. We all feel the same way on the current occupant of the seat. It is the most senior among us (Adebayo) that should address the people first.”
Adebayo said: “I am the most senior of the (former) governors, I will call my younger brother, Ayo Fayose, to address this gathering.”
Fayose 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.”
Senator Bamidele added, “Governor Oyebanji entrenching the culture of respect and the culture of 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 . When you b come a second term Governor, you will be the most ranking progressive Governor and the most ranking Governor in Nigeria.
“I am looking forward to being the chairman of your re-election campaign, if Jesus Christ tarries in his coming and God sparing our lives.”
In his sermon at the anniversary service, the Bishop of the Diocese of Ekiti, the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, the Rt. Revd. Olusola Ajayi, hailed Governor Oyebanji for making positive impact in the lives of the people of the state within the last one year.
The Rt. Revd. Ajayi said it was astonishing that Governor Oyebanji executed and delivered 295 projects for the use and benefit of the people of the state under one year through the instrumentality of the five-pilar agenda of his administration.
Delivering a sermon entitled “Rejoicing in the Lord” which was taken from Psalm 150:1-6, the Rt. Rev. Ajayi said the people of the state needed to praise God and rejoice because the Governor has set Ekiti on the path of greater development and delivering compassionate and purposeful leadership.
He described Oyebanji as “a Christian politician, a Christian who is on politics for the good of his people” adding that “this is a man who promised to turn around the fortunes of the state with his five pillars agenda and today, Ekiti people are happy with him because he is keeping his promises.”
The Cleric urged the people of Ekiti State irrespective of their religious affiliations to remain one and not be divided by religious and political differences for the state to continue to witness sustainable development.
In his remarks, Governor Oyebanji said he has handed over the state back to God ascribing the glory of the achievements of the last one year to God whom he said has made them possible for the benefit of the people. “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.”
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 National Assembly members from the state next week to ensure that the 2024 Federal Budget captures all the concerned roads.
Other dignitaries at the thanksgiving service included the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru; Ekiti Deputy Governor, Monisade Afuye; Ekiti Assembly Speaker, MrAdeoye Aribasoye; former Ekiti First Lady, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; former Ekiti Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu; Senator representing Ekiti South, Yemi Adaramodu, traditional rulers led by the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, among other guests.