Guber 2022: Home Boy Oyebanji Hits Town

  ... Says Time To Serve Ekiti People

By Wole Olujobi

Foremost governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, has said it is time for him to lend more hand in the aspirations of Ekiti people for development. 

The Ekiti West Local Government home boy spoke on Wednesday in Aramoko- Ekiti, concluding his week-long visits across the state during which the state leadership of his party presented him to the local governments' leaders on his ambition.

Oyebanji was also at the state party secretariat on Wednesday to submit field reports to the party leadership after a week-long visits to the 16 local governments of the state.

The party leaders and supporters at Ekiti West Local Government as early as seven o'clock converged on Aramoko-Ekiti in the last consultation stop to present the politician to the leaders of the tourism hub of the state. 

Led by Samuel Abejide and former State Chairman of APC, Jide Awe; former Vice Chairman, Chief Mrs Kemi Olaleye; Chief Remi Oguntuase,  Rt Hon Dapo Karounwi, Folorunso Olabode, former APC's State Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatubosun,  Cyril Fasuyi,  Febisola Adewale, Prof Adio Folayan, party leaders and a large crowd of party faithful rallied support for Oyebanji's aspiration to smoothing the way for his success at the primaries  scheduled for January 22, 2022.

Narrating Oyebanji's political journey in Ekiti State, including his roles in the creation of Ekiti State,  Olatubosun  explained that his experiences working for two governors for 11 years had equipped him with deep knowledge of government to lead the state.

Olatubosun, who said Oyebanji was a unifying factor among Ekiti people, added that the purpose of the visit was to inform the leaders and residents of the local government the reasons for choosing Oyebanji as the next governor by the leadership, explaining that the choice was premised on his popularity among ordinary people on the streets who saw Oyebanji as a generous and accessible politician who also had all his education in Ekiti State and  shared the aspirations of Ekiti people.

Abejide said Oyebanji was considered by the party leadership as  the most suitable to succeed Governor Kayode Fayemi considering his vast experience,  track records of performance and popularity among Ekiti people. 

Awe took a roll-call of all the wards executives, expressing delight at their impressive attendance and willingness to ensure Oyebanji's success. He said Oyebanji was the choice of the party leadership and urged the local governement leaders to respect the party's supremacy in ensuring Oyebanji's success.  

Chief Alade led other leaders to present Oyebanji to the people.

Oyebanji said even though he was a home boy known to many, there was still need to say a little about himself and his mission in seeking election as governor.

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 for him to seek election in the 2022 poll.

Abejide at the party secretariat told the state leadership led by Barrister Paul Omotoso in company of his deputy, Sola Elesin,  PRO Segun Dipe, and others, that he was mandated by party elders to lead a mobilisation drive among critical segments of Ekiti society, including the statesmen, clergy and interest groups, to sell Oyebanji's candidature across the state, even as Olatunbosun added that the team sold a campaign of peace and unity of the party across the state.

He said the message was well delivered and accepted everywhere the team went, adding that whether the party adopted direct or indirect primaries, field reports indicated that Oyebanji would win.

Oyebanji told Omotoso and other state executives that his consultation tours went peacefully

He narrated his education journey that ended at Ekiti State University where he also worked during which he was appointed the Secretary for the Creation of Ekiti State Committee, explaining that it was during his visit to Otunba Niyi Adebayo to assist in Ekiti State creation drive that he knew the former governor who later appointed him to various political positions for four years before was appointed again for seven years by Governor Kayode Fayemi.

Explaining that he had learnt the ropes through the two governors, he added that it was his experience, accessibility and acceptability to Ekiti people that compelled the leaders to urge him to run and he accepted.

Omotoso expressed delight at the peaceful outing of the aspirant, thanking in particular the leaders that accompanied the aspirant. He added that the same gesture would be extended to other aspirants, stressing that whoever the party would pick as the candidate would be elected on merit and according the party's rules.

Omotoso assured that the party would not be misled in the choice of the system to be adopted for primaries.

He warned against violence by all aspirants, stressing that violent participants would be disqualified, even as he warned that there would be no negotiation for failed aspirants.

He urged other aspirants to hit the field and conduct themselves peacefully.

Ekiti West leaders in attendance at Aramoko-Ekiti include Otunba Akin Oluwadare, Hon Kayode Fasakin, Hon Tajudeen Akingbolu, Hon Kola Bode-Adeoye, Akogun Tai Oguntayo, Mrs Jumoke Olaosebikan, Barrister Busuyi Ayorinde, Sesan Okere, Chief Isola Fapohunda, Prof Rasaki Ojo-Bakare, Hon Kareem Agunbiade, Kanmi Olatoye,  Owolabi Ajibade, Elder Yemi Alade, Elder Ajayi Baba Egbe, Chief Fatoke, Hon Segun Olatubosun, Eben Adebusuyi, Hon Claudius Adetule, Prince Goke Adetule, Hon Pius Ajayi, Hon Ajayi Adeoye, Princess Adejoke Ojo, Prince Olu Aladeloye, Hon Ibidapo Taiwo, Mrs Omolara Adamolekun, Olori Bolanle Oni-Oyebode, H.E  Tope Ademiluyi, Dr Leye Adeniyi, Mr Olaito Abiodun, NURTW leader Falope Oloforo, Alhaja Tunrayo Adesina, Chief Dayo Famoyegun, Oladiran Fadipe, Dele Philips and Mrs Yemisi Adedire.

Other state leaders during the visit include AVM Niyi Ojuawo, Kayode Fasae Jimlas, Soga Davis,  Bunmi Awotiku, Oluwole Ariyo,  Oluremi  Ajayi Babington, Hon Yemisi Ayokunle, Mrs Moji Fafure, Bose Olowokere, Toyin Adepoju, Bola Solanke, Gbenga Omole, Adeniyi Adekunle Samadek, Hon Kola Bode-Adeoye, Hon Kehinde Bolics, Rotimi Ajidara, Adebayo Daramola, Hon Folorunso Ogundele, Olukosi Muyiwa, Abiola Olowokere, Sade Oluwole, Hon Bunmi Oriniowo, Lekan Ijidale, Fola Richie- Adewusi, Biodun Akin-Fasae, Kayode Olaosebikan, Alfred Ologuntoye, Olori Bolanle Oyebode, Ojo Atibioke, Princess Foluso Adekoya, Dr Abibat Adubiaro, Barrister Tunji Lawal and Gbenga Ogunmoroti.

Wole Olujobi, reporting from Aramoko and Ado-Ekiti