‘YOMI AYELESO examines the intrigues and permutations which have commenced in earnest for the second term ambition of Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State of the All Progressives Congress (APC) less than two years into his first four-year tenure.
Just about 20 months into the 48-month tenure of the incumbent Ekiti State governor, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, popularly referred to as ‹BAO› by his admirers, the political space in the state has been lit up with his second term ambition, which is discernible in the activities of the government, elected and appointed party members and other stakeholders within and outside Ekiti.
Inaugurated on October 16, 2022 after his victory at the poll as successor to former governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, Oyebanji promised a shared prosperity agenda for the state through a six-point manifesto cutting across the major sectors of the state’s economy. It should be acknowledged that the governor has received accolades and praise by many stakeholders in the state, including political opponents, due to his distinct style of inclusive governance. The administration, since inception, has not hidden its desire to operate and initiate populist programmes and policies that will make life more meaningful for the citizens and in turn, enhance a productive economy. From regular payment of salaries, pensions and gratuity, to approval and commencement of some capital projects and innovative reforms in governance, the government might have laid solid foundation in its first year and few months, but the political events in the last few weeks could pose a challenge if not moderated.
Across major and strategic locations within the state, second term posters and banners of Governor Oyebanji have been conspicuously erected in the state. Top among the banners was the one sponsored by the 177 ward councillors in the state, where they pledged their support for the governor to run again in 2026. Also, political appointees and party members have commenced mobilisation for the 2026 governorship election in favour of the governor in the All Progressives Congress (APC)
A few days ago, Governor Oyebanji led other top government functionaries to the APC secretariat located in the Ajilosun area of Ado Ekiti, the state capital , where a vote of confidence was passed in him for his performance in office in the last 20 months and the stakeholders resolved to fully back him for a second term. The resolution was unanimously taken by the extended executive council comprising the State Working Committee (SWC) and leaders of the party from all the 16 local government areas. Mike Akinleye , Chairman, APC Ado Local Government Area, moved the motion for the endorsement of the governor for a second term in office. The motion was seconded by the secretary, Sola Arogundade.
The acting chairman of the party in the state, Sola Eleshin, said all the state executives had resolved that all hands must be on deck to ensure the governor is reelected so that he would continue in office beyond 2026 based on his superlative performance across board. He acknowledged the visits of Oyebanji at various ward meetings and his well-formulated policies and programmes, which he said, had brought succour to Ekiti people. This development, according to Eleshin, has made the governor to govern seamlessly with attendant socio- economic development of the state and better life for the people. Expressing the party›s backing for Governor Oyebanji, the acting APC chairman called on party members to brace up for the tasks ahead by ensuring success in all future elections at both local, state and national levels.
Also, the most publicised stakeholders meeting hosted by the governors in Abuja last week where Ekiti indigenes in both in the public and the private sector brainstormed and proffer ways of developing the state, was said to have been a strategic move by the governor for his second term ambition. As these scenarios unfold, political watchers in the state have said the early moves by Governor Oyebanji and his lieutenants on his reelection, even before the second anniversary of the administration, may be due to feelers in certain quarters about some yet-to-be identified forces within the party were plotting to dislodge the governor of the APC ticket.
Recognising these forces as those he literally removed the state’s feeding bottles from their mouths, the governor had, at a recent event of distribution of the fifth round of palliatives to the residents, threatened to reveal their identities and report them to people of the state. Oyebanji said: “We have been using Ekiti resources to develop the state since our inauguration as governor. I am about clocking two years in office, I have travelled out of the country twice; I have stayed with you performing my responsibilities. As we are doing all these, some people are not happy because they have the feeding bottle of Ekiti in their mouths but we have removed it. So, it is expected that these categories of people will not be happy with the work we are doing in the state.
“Let me assure you that we are unperturbed about these people, we are in charge and if it comes to reporting them to you my people, we will do it because you elected us to be in charge of the state.”
A public affairs analyst, Ojo Adebayo expressed worry that the permutations and public demonstrations being tailored towards the reelection of the governor less than two years into the tenure, could be a form of distraction to the administration. He argued that the Oyebanji who has demonstrated commitment to the development of the state with the people-centered policies and programmes, urged him to stay focused in delivering his campaign promises to the state.
Adebayo said: “We are not yet two years into an administration and we are seeing the second term campaign everywhere in the state, this is highly premature. The governor should be made to understand that he started well but I am afraid the second term buzz might change the direction of his government, because everything now will be given political considerations.
“If these second term activities continue now, it will overshadow the government and the rhythm will be affected. You know our people when it comes to this political issues, everything will be done or approved with the second term ambition in mind.”
The South-West publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Sanya Atofarati accused the APC-led government of being insensitive to the hardship and plights of residents in the state, adding that rather than work to improve the lives and livelihoods of the people, the administration is busy with re-election campaigns. The zonal PDP spokesman claimed that the APC government of Oyebanji less than two years in office has not effectively impacted the economy of the state, noting that the government would be roundly rejected by the voters during the election in 2026.
He said: “Apart from the propaganda , I don’t know what the governor has done significantly that would warrant his adoption for a second term, when has not even spent up to two years.
“It is out of point and I don’t think it should be a subject of debate for now because it is obvious that the people on the streets can attest to the fact that the government under APC has done nothing; rather, they retrogress the nation’s economy. So, there is nothing to celebrate in Oyebanji’s government to warrant the adoption for a second term, but whatever it is , we are going to the poll when the time comes, he will tell the people why he should be voted but definitely APC is a no go area.”
But the publicity secretary of the APC, Segun Dipe said the party followed the decision of the leaders of the party and former governors, Adeniyi Adebayo and Dr Kayode Fayemi to endorse him for a second term in office. He also explained that the governor has performed well in almost two years at the helm of affairs, adding that being an incumbent he deserved to be given the right of first refusal. Dipe said: “What we have in the party is unique and our transition is smooth and organized. The former governors (Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo and Dr Kayode Fayemi) have endorsed governor Oyebanji for a second term. The constitution of the party recognised our two former governors as leaders and what we, the party, do after these imminent leaders have endorsed the governor. Besides, our experience in 2014 affected us and we don’t want to make a mistake this time around. We don’t want anybody to go ahead, obtain forms and spend money in the name of contesting and at the end of the day, they will say they have spent huge resources.
“We don’t want people to spend money and at the end see that the incumbent is getting a second term. Constitutionally, he is qualified and in our party, there is what we call an offer of first rejection for an incumbent and don’t forget that his performance has been acknowledged by all and sundry, especially major opposition voices in the state.”
No doubt, the build-up to the next election will throw up the usual horse-trading and bickering among the gladiators. Feelers from the parties suggest that some gladiators are already warming up to slug it with the incumbent governor for the APC ticket.
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