FORMER DEPUTY GOVERNOR BIODUN ALUKO HEADS BAO STATE ENDORSEMENT COMMITTEE

FORMER DEPUTY GOVERNOR BIODUN ALUKO HEADS BAO STATE ENDORSEMENT COMMITTEE.

….to Coordinate State-wide Unified Endorsement Programme.

A high-powered committee headed by a former Deputy Governor, Surveyor Abiodun Aluko has been constituted to coordinate a State-wide unified confirmation of the will of people in the State for the Governor to remain in office till 2030. 

The move followed the unanimous endorsements of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji’s second term in office by critical Stakeholders from each of the three senatorial districts in the Ekiti State as well as a number of groups and individuals including the State Caucus of All Progressives Congress (APC) which is the highest organ of the party in the state, the State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), all Primary School Teachers in the 16 Local Government Areas of the State, the State Chapter of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Students and youth groups as well as communities and traditional chiefs across the state.

The committee was constituted in Ado Ekiti at a meeting of critical stakeholders including political leaders, opinion leaders and community leaders across the State. 

Members of the committee tagged “BAO State Endorsement Committee” include former Deputy Governor, Prof Modupe Adelabu and Elder Alaba Bejide as Co-Chairmen while Rt. Hon. Karounwi Oladapo, Hon. Folorunso Olabode and Hon Seun Afuye will serve as Secretary, Treasurer and Welfare Officer respectively.

The Majority Leader of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Michael Opeyemi representing Distinguished Senators from the State and Rt. Hon Femi Bamisile, representing Honourable Members of the House of Representatives from the State are also members of the august body.  

Others are; Barr. Sola Elesin, party’s State Chairman , Hon. Dele Fatile, Comrade Segun Dipe representing the APC State Exco; Evang. Ayo Kolawole, Chairman, North Senatorial District; Hon. Bankole Odekun Chairman, Central Senatorial District; Chief Akindele Akinbobola, Chairman, South Senatorial District, Hon. Michael Akinleye representing the APC Local Government Party Chairmen, Hon. Olusegun Ojo representing the ALGON in the State. Mrs. Caroline Egunlusi , the party’s State Women Leader , Mrs. Akinwale Kikelomo, Mrs Omolabi Bolanle representing the party women and Women Stakeholders . High Chief Olajide Awe, Otunba Lekan Oyebanji, Rt. Hon. Stephen Aribasoye, representing the State House of Assembly, Mrs Mary Oso - Omotosho for Communities Representation and Rt Hon Taiwo   Olatunbosun, representing the Media   (Publicity).

     

Speaking shortly after the inauguration of the committee tagged “BAO State Endorsement Committee” in Ado Ekiti, Surveyor Abiodun Aluko stressed that Governor Oyebanji's second-term endorsement is rooted in his administration's tangible achievements, inclusive governance, and commitment to the welfare of all segments of Ekiti society. 

Noting that the Governor has been meticulously implementing his six-pillars of ‘Shared Prosperity Agenda’ which cut across all strata of governance to the admiration of all stakeholders since assumption of office. 

Surveyor Aluko said the Oyebanji-led government has made remarkable progress and impacted in the lives of the people which has practically silenced opposition  within the state, with leading opposition figures praising and supporting him. 

He said, “the governor’s impact has been significantly felt across all sectors, resulting in a series of endorsements and support for him to run for a second term until 2030. Is it road infrastructure or healthcare investment; welfare of workers and pensioners; investment in agriculture, educational support, care for the elderly and vulnerable citizens, and human capital development”.

“From pensioners to artisans, labour unions, workers, traditional institutions, youth and women groups, there has been a consistent declaration of support, even non-partisan individuals and groups that transcend political, religion and social strata have declared support for Oyebanji’s second term, leading many to suggest that he is going to face the easiest gubernatorial elections in the state’s history” , Aluko emphasized.

Aluko explained that the primary function of the committee is to manage the endorsement event that is expected to hold very soon at a date to be determined by the committee and ensure harmony, safety, and structured conduct for a peaceful, orderly occasion devoid of any form of disturbance to the prevailing peace in the State.

“Everybody loves BAO and his endorsement is a done deal. We, as elder statesmen, must however handle issues maturely. It is only wise and responsible to properly manage the event”, he said.