Follow Us on Google
From Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
The Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has warned members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and people of Ekiti State against joining any opposition parties, especially the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition.
This was as heavyweights, leaders, and politicians across the political parties of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and others in the state endorsed President Bola Tinubu and Governor Biodun Oyebanji, for second term in office.
Bamidele made the remarks during the statewide endorsement for President Bola Tinubu and Governor Biodun Oyebanji to continue in office beyond 2027 and 2026, held at the Ekiti Parapo pavilion, Ado-Ekiti, capital of the state.
The well-attended event also had party people from across the 16 local government areas of the state, artisans, civil servants, unions, and associations in attendance
However, the immediate past governor of the state, Dr Kayode Fayemi, who was conspicuously absent at the event, tendered apology for his absence.
At the event, the APC National Secretary,
and Coordinator of the endorsement
Senator Bashiru Ajibola, welcomed some new defectors into the party and assured them of equal opportunities.
The defectors are, Senator Biodun Olujimi, who represented Ekiti South Senatorial District at the Senate on the platform of the PDP, former PDP chieftain, Obafemi Adewale (SAN) and current Ekiti State House of Assembly member from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) representing Ise-Orun constituency Hon. Omotayo Babatunde,
The Senate leader who said this is the first endorsement for President Tinubu in the entire Southwest, urged APC members and the people of the state to remain steadfast, warning them to reject any attempts by the opposition especially the ADC to lure them to join their party.
“Ekiti people, please, do not be deceived. APC in Ekiti do not be deceived whether you are in politics or not. Very soon some people will be talking to you. They have not been able to show their faces but they are already going round trying to encourage people to go to another party, they call it ADC. Reject anybody who tells you to go to ADC, the person wants to destroy your life. Whoever tells you to join ADC wants to cause chaos in Ekiti.
” This is the first endorsement programme for President Tinubu in the Southwest and in this environment. Our position is very clear Ekiti State is an APC state, Ekiti State is a progressive state. The leader of opposition in Ekiti is here seated with us. He has endorsed another term of four years for President Tinubu. He has endorsed another term of four years for Governor Oyebanji. If former Governor Ayodele Fayose is endorsing President Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji for another term, who is that leader of opposition in Ekiti that can say no. APC is our party in EKiti and we have declared where we are going.”
Speaking further, Bamidele urged the party members and residents of the state to support President Tinubu and Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s re-election, for them to continue to benefit from the economic policies of the President and the shared prosperity
agenda of Governor Oyebanji.
“This is a pay back time. One good term deserves another. And one good term in political office holding deserves another.
I stand to congratulate President Bola Tinubu for his endorsement by the people of Ekiti State for another term in office.
“President Tinubu took very serious decisions that are today witnessing the revamping of the Nigerian economy. And in another one year all of us will see how much difference has been made in the quality of the lives of Nigerians and in the preparation for our tommorow.
“I congratulate Governor Biodun Oyebanji and his deputy Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, the two of them have shown an example of how to be humble in power, they have shown an example of how to descend from an Olympian height and come to the level of the people. They have made us proud and it is time for us to show them that we appreciate them and that is why I want to thank you for their endorsement for second term.”
Earlier, in his welcome address, former deputy governor and chairman of the statewide endorsement committee, Chief Abiodun Aluko, said the rally was the culmination of months of similar endorsements at the senatorial, local, and ward levels.
“This is a grand confirmation of the collective will of Ekiti people to stand behind transformational leadership. It is also an appreciation of the achievements of both President Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji in infrastructure, education, health, and youth empowerment. Their second terms are not negotiable.”
Also speaking, former governor of the state, Engr. Segun Oni, praised Oyebanji’s leadership and style of governance, “Governor Oyebanji has the capacity to unite people.
“The Nigeria of our dream is gradually emerging, and Ekiti must play a dominant role.”
Former Governor Ayodele Fayose, and a stalwart of the PDP described the endorsement as “historic”
“This is the first time all former governors, leaders, and stakeholders in Ekiti are unanimously endorsing a sitting governor.”
Other News
Fayose disclosed that his support for the Governor was based on his character and performance, emphasising that he will not join the APC.
” I am saying this openly; I will not join the APC, but I will support Oyebanji. Let him win in all the 16 local government areas, just as I once did. I will never join the APC, but I will work for the second term victories of both Tinubu and Oyebanji.”
The state’s first executive governor, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, said the endorsement was not a mere ceremony but a reward for performance and good governance, “This endorsement is not a formality but a reward for performance and good governance.
“Oyebanji has brought all former governors together for the first time. He deserves to continue.”
The Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, flanked by serving and former members of the National Assembly from Ekiti State, moved the motion for Tinubu’s endorsement for a second term in office. The motion was seconded by a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Bamisile.
Thereafter, a letter communicating the President’s endorsement was presented to the National Secretary of APC, Senator Bashiru Ajibola.
The Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Adeoye Aribasoye, flanked by members of the 7th Assembly, moved the motion for Oyebanji’s endorsement for second term and was seconded by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon Bolaji Olagbaju and the motion was ratified by the crowd, who chorused “yes”.
The APC National Secretary after receiving the endorsement letters,
saluted Ekiti politicians for endorsing President Tinubu to lead the country till 203, saying “this solidarity was a confirmation that the current APC- led federal government has not disappointed Nigerians.
“I have received the letters that President Bola Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji and his Deputy should continue till 2031 and 2030 respectively. Though, in law, we are to conduct a primary for all interested governorship aspirants, which we promise will be free and fair.
“With this endorsement coming from the leader of APC in Ekiti State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, stakeholders and key leaders of the opposition, we are going to relay your position to the leadership of our party. I want to thank you for supporting our party”.
Senator Ajibola who counseled the Yoruba people against treachery, appreciated Governor Oyebanji for uplifting the bar of governance in Ekiti to combat poverty, unemployment and other socioeconomic maladies confronting the citizens.
The Ondo State Governor, Lucky Ayedatiwa, said the combined forces of President Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji will catapult Ekiti’s economy to enviable height if given a beneficial second term opportunity.
“Governor Oyebanji is not just winning this election, but he must win overwhelmingly. With the crowd I am seeing here today, I know you are going to support him in the primary and the election coming up next year. All the 23 governors in APC have endorsed President Tinubu and we are also coming here in Ekiti to do same for Governor Oyebanji”.
Responding, Governor Oyebanji appreciated Ekiti people for reposing confidence in him and President Tinubu and for endorsing them for second term in office.
‘ On behalf of President Tinubu, I thank you for this vote of confidence you are passing on us today. This is the first time President Tinubu will be endorsed by a state in the Southwest. In 2023, Ekiti State was the first state to deliver victory to the President and we are telling him that we will do better in 2027
He continued, ” I am deeply touched by what you are doing today. I will continue to serve you well. I won’t be proud in my service to you. President Tinubu asked me to tell you that you have nothing to fear, that everything is being emplaced to make the lives of Nigerians better.
“The party we love in Ekiti State is APC, there is no other party. We are for Asiwaju. We are assuring our new members that their rights will be protected fully in this party. Senator Olujimi and other new members and those who will still join us have nothing to fear.”
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Senator Olujimi commended President Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji for welcoming them into the party, describing the development as the best way to set Nigeria and Ekiti on the path of greatness.
Other dignitaries at the event, are members of the Senate from the three Senatorial Districts of Ekiti State, all the six members of the House of Representatives, Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Senator Dayo Adeyeye, Managing Director of Federal Housing Authority, Hon. Oyetunde Ojo, members of the state executives council, former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Wale Fapohunda, former deputy governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, among others.
