Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (left); Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji; his Ondo counterpart, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Monisade Afuye, during the statewide endorsement of President Bola Tinubu and Oyebanji/Afuye for second term in office.
Diverse group of Ekiti residents, including members from various political parties, on Monday gathered in Ado-Ekiti to endorse President Bola Tinubu and Governor Biodun Oyebanji for a second term in office.
At the rally, former Governor Ayo Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), wearing a PDP cap, pledged to support the re-election of Tinubu and Oyebanji without joining the All Progressives Congress (APC). He cited their strong performance as the reason for his commitment.
The endorsement event, held at the 14,000-capacity Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, drew a large crowd, including artisans, civil servants, unions, and associations, as well as supporters from the ruling APC and other political affiliations.
Notable opposition figures present included former Governor Ayo Fayose (PDP), former Deputy Governor and Senate Minority Leader Abiodun Olujimi (PDP), former Governor Segun Oni (Social Democratic Party), and Chief Obafemi Adewale, SAN (PDP).
During the event, Olujimi and Adewale, along with their supporters, announced their defection to the APC.
Prominent APC leaders in attendance included Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, former Governor Niyi Adebayo, all serving and former Ekiti Senators and Representatives, Chairman of the Nigeria Ports Authority Dayo Adeyeye, and Federal Housing Authority Chairman Oyetunji Ojo.
Chief Abiodun Aluko, a former deputy governor and chairman of the Statewide Endorsement Committee, described the rally as a reflection of the collective will of Ekiti residents, following months of endorsements at senatorial, local, and ward levels.
He emphasized that the event was to recognize the achievements of Tinubu and Oyebanji, stating that their second terms were non-negotiable.
The rally featured a motion for Tinubu’s second term, moved by Senate Leader Bamidele and seconded by Femi Bamisile, the representative for Emure/Gbonyin/Ekiti East Federal Constituency. A separate motion for Oyebanji’s re-election was moved by Ekiti Assembly Speaker Adeoye Aribasoye and seconded by his deputy, Bolaji Akinyemi.
APC National Secretary Senator Bashir Ajibola, who welcomed the defectors, assured that the party would offer equal opportunities to new members and work to attract more Nigerians to the APC.
In his remarks, Bamidele described the endorsement as a reward for the accomplishments of Tinubu and Oyebanji. He cautioned Ekiti residents against being swayed by opponents, particularly the newly formed African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition, calling it an unwise political choice. (NAN)
