Leyoo Ajeokun
The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, has justified the litany of second term endorsements being accorded Governor Biodun Oyebanji by groups, saying the governor’s exemplary performance across economic sectors make him favourably deserve reelection.
Mrs Afuye gave the justification in Ado Ekiti, on Friday, while being decorated as the Chairperson, Board of Trustees of pro-Oyebanji campaign group under the auspices of ‘BAO Agenda for 2026’, to drum support for the governor’s reelection in the 2026 governorship poll.
Other high profile figures that constitute the BOT are : Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Habibat Adubiaro, Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Hon. Ibrahim Olanrewaju, Commissioners for Finance, Mr. Akin Oyebode, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Hon. Karounwi Oladapo, Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Niyi Adebayo, Erelu Kemi Elebute Halle, and Engr. Bayo Ajayi.
In her acceptance speech, Mrs Afuye, in a statement signed by her Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje, applauded the group for the enormous respect and support displayed towards the governor and its resolve to back him for the 2026 poll.
Mrs Afuye, said such soul-lifting gesture would serve as a catalyst and morale booster for the State Chief Executive to deliver more democracy dividends to the people.
She added that the litany of second term endorsements being enjoyed by the governor barely two years into his administration were not mere flippancy or jamborees, but a product of good and dispassionate thinking.
“At his inauguration on October 16, 2022, Governor Oyebanji announced the six-pillar of his administration and this has been a guiding principle and compass of this administration upon which he has delivered democracy dividends to the people.
” As of now, appreciable works are ongoing on projects like: flyover project in Ado Ekiti, Ikere-Igbara Odo road, Ikere-Ise road, Ikere-Ilawe roads, Itapa-Omu-Ijelu road, Ado-Ikere road, Ado-Iworoko-Ifaki road, Isinbode-Ara-Ikole road and many others. These are projects that were strategically awarded to attract investments to the state.
“The government is also working in partnership with cavista Holdings to radicalise the agriculture sector and lift Ekiti to reach the food security status by attracting youth population into commercial farming for more and abundant food production.
“Under Human Capital Development, the current government had employed over 3,000 people into the state civil service. The Adire Ekiti Hub being championed by Her Excellency, Ekiti State First Lady, Prof Olayemi Oyebanji, has trained hundreds of Ekiti youths to be self- dependent through exposure to skills on how to make Adire local fabric.
“The Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) Clinic, which was commissioned recently by His Excellency, Vice President Kashim Shettima will also be a veritable platform to train our youths in relevant skills and vocations that can make them relevant under the current economic situation”.
About civil service restructuring, she added that workers and pensioners have been enjoying unfettered dividends of democracy under Governor Oyebanji’s leadership, saying the government has made it a matter of policy by ensuring regular payments of salaries and deductions.
“Just a few weeks ago, a total of N1 billion was released to pay backlog of gratuity to give the retirees a better welfare package. The government also released a sum of N365 million as housing/car loans to workers to give them a sense of belonging.
” I am of that conviction that the cumulative effect of the foregoing must have prompted this endorsement, which I firmly believe was well deserved”.
The Deputy Governor appreciated the group for her investiture as the BOT Chairperson, assuring that she will readily make herself available to provide the body with the needed support and guidance that will make them achieve their set goals.
Inaugurating the BOT members, the Acting State Chairman, All Progressives Congress, Hon. Sola Elesin, urged the group not to allow internal squabbles to derail their focus of ensuring aggressive mobilisation for the governor.
“You all witnessed how Vice president Kashim Shettima spoke glowingly of our governor in Abuja. In real infrastructure, stomach infrastructure and empowerment, in fact, Governor Oyebanji has done well. He has made the job easier for us by his exemplary performance, but we won’t be complacent.
“We will work hard for him and make the dream successful.We must be inclusive and leave no stone unturned. It should be house- to- house campaign, nobody should be left behind”.
A serving commissioner and member of the BOT, Hon Oladapo Karounwi, said the group should work hard for Governor Oyebanji to make history as the first governor to spend eight unbroken years as a governor.
In his submission, the group’s Coordinator, Hon. Ibrahim Lawal, said they decided to work for Governor Oyebanji’s reelection to further consolidate democracy gains to the people, saying allowing him to lead the state for eight years will bring radical development to the state.
Lawal described the BOT members as committed and resourceful individuals, who can contribute their mental and physical resources to advertise to Ekiti the positivity the governor has brought earning him the second term.
“We have 23 executive members, 38 coordinators and 177 mobilisers across the state to preach the gospel of Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s reelection in 2026. We are not going to take chances despite not having any stiff opposition.
“We all know the governor deserves it and we will work hard to ensure that he is returned. We won’t allow what happened in 2014 to repeat itself”.