Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO), has assured traditional rulers in the state that their yearn for a better state will not be in vain
Oyebanji said his decision to vie for the governorship position is to reposition the state as well as join hands with the traditional institution to better the lots of Ekiti people.
He gave the assurance when he met with the monarchs at their chamber in Ado Ekiti. Oyebanji traced how Ekiti Obas laboured and sacrificed their comfort, in the quest to actualize the creation of the State in 1996.
He traced his relationship with the traditional institution to 1994, when, as a young university teacher, he submitted a proposal on the creation of Ekiti State and the roles the Obas could play to the leadership of Ekiti Obas at the Palace of Ewi of Ado Ekiti.
He pointed out that that early encounter with the Obas and their approval of his proposal, led to his appointment, first, as Assistant Secretary and later as Secretary to the Committee for the Creation of Ekiti State.
“I hold Ekiti Obas in high esteem because I had worked with them as a young University teacher and can vouch for their steadfast, commitment and love for our dear state. I can beat my chest anywhere that Ekiti can boast of progressive and committed traditional rulers because their sacrifices and commitment gave us what we have today as Ekiti State.
” I remember how they travelled by road on several occasions to Abuja, I know how they committed their time and resources and I was a witness to how, through love and maturity, they resolved the debate over choice of state capital, without any rancour in the interest of Ekiti State. For all these, it is difficult and impossible for me as an individual not to regard and reference our traditional institution.” He said.
Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers and the Onisan of Isan-Ekiti, Oba Gabriel Ayodele Adejuwon had described Oyebanji as a throughbred and homegrown Ekiti man with a lot of experiences, garnered within and outside the government, which are needed to govern Ekiti.
The aspirant received ‘Iwure’ (royal blessings) from the traditional rulers as led by Owa Ooye of Okemesi-Ekiti, HRM, Oba Michael Gbadebo Adedeji.
