Why and How Governor Oyebanji's Re-election is Without Ambiguity.
The October 27th consensus & affirmation of Governor Oyebanji's Candidacy by APC DELEGATES has become watershed in the history of our democratic evolution as a state. The event, which was the first of its kind in our history was unprecented and marked a positive curve in our collective democratic maturity across the board as a people.
In line with the All Progressives Congress (APC), Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines, and Section 84 of the Nigeria Electoral Act of 2022 as ammended to date. The party had the option of choosing through direct or indirect method to elect/select its flag-bearer or in the absence of no other challenger, can adopt the consensus method by affirming the rightful candidate by "Yes/No" option to represent the party in the subsequent Ekiti 2026 governorship election.
By virtue of Section 135(2) of the Nigeria Constitution, it's stated that the President shall vacate office at the expiration of a period of four years, commencing from the date the oath of allegiance and office was taken. Section 180(2) specifically makes the equivalent provision for State Governors, stating they shall vacate office after four years from the date they took the oath of allegiance and office.
These two sections establish the four-year tenure, which is renewable only once (for a maximum of eight years in total).
The Nigerian Constitution is specifically clear on allowing any sitting governor to serve for a maximum of eight-year term (double terms) as expressly stated in sections 180(2)(a), 182(1)(b), and 182(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
In view of the above, it thus requires any serious and desirous President or Governor to start his first term administration by putting up programmes and policies that qualify him for re-election by the electorates.
In the case of Ekiti State and Governor Oyebanji, there is no doubt his impactful involvement in the last administration of Dr. Fayemi led to his emergence as the flag-bearer of the ruling party in 2022 governorship general election in the state making him the eventual winner of the election. The past commitment to the State in different capacities had really prepared him for the job ahead and his present evident sterling performance, qualifies him to take a shot at the second term.
The last administration of JKF came on board on the hill of global economic meltdown recovery, menace of insecurity challenges, the #EndSars protest, and the dwindling economic income to meet up the Nation's budgetary demands. It remains heroic that the current administration of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji has continued to uphold the much celebrated and cherished VALUES Ekiti People taking the State to global stages for different honours. EKITI State is indeed blessed to have this Omoluabi Governor this period and it's a delight the State is experiencing rapid development.
This was the exact point where the foundation of the recent October 27th CONSENSUS/AFFIRMATION of Governor Oyebanji was first laid. As of the election of 2018, JKF did not wait a minute to hit the ground running as soon as he resumed office. He started this by signing some landmark executive orders, giving life to the dead and buried image of the people.
Fast-forward, this was the exact administrative masterpiece Governor Oyebanji continued with immediately he was sworn in as the 7th Executive Governor of Ekiti State. Within the last 36 months of Governor Oyebanji's administration, he has not only sustained the good image of the State but also took it to a higher and remarkable level. He has succeeded in restoring and improving on peace, security, and politics without bitterness, but og respect and dignity. No wonder this government is acceptable to Ekiti indegenes both at home and in the diaspora.
Politically, the Governor has shown and proven himself to be trustworthy, reliable, consistence and learnt great lessons from the political journeys of both his immediate and previous predecessors. Amongst many reasons, the governor has displayed:
1. *CONSISTENCY*
Governor Oyebanji is a product of the system, and for the past three years of his administration, he has never departed from that root that mentored him to where he is today.
2. *NON-DESPERATION*
Governor Oyebanji has shown and displayed it to the people at several occasions that power belongs to Almighty God and He gives to whomever He wants to give through the people, the reason his administration, ab-initio, was built around inclusivity of _"all for one and one for all"_
3. *FOCUSED*
The first few months in the administration of Governor Oyebanji was basically to form the government and pick up the excellent and versatile team to support in working on implementing his administration's programmes as being spelt out in his 6-point development plan yet, a critical analysis of the implementation so far shows that the Governor remains focused and ensures virtually all the promises being made (as contained in the action plan) were implemented and even surpassed. Projects of values are still on in the State and Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji is not resting on his oars. The good performance continues across the State.
4. *SINCERITY*
Politicians in this part of the world are known for saying different things to get power and doing different things when they get the power. I was fortunate to have a one-on-one brief conversation with Governor Oyebanji before his inauguration. I could yet remember the few words from Gov. Oyebanji then. Honestly, it solidifies my passion on how consistent and sincere he has been with his words. In fact, I can say, going my my encounter with him then and now, Governor Oyebanji's words are his bound.
5. *FRUGALITY*
The governor has prioritised the application of the state's resources on those critical areas that have direct impacts on living standard of the people in areas like agriculture, security, improved infrastructure, health and education. Governor Oyebanji has shown that you do not need to drink Italian or Spanish branded wines or ride a Cuba branded antique Mercedes Benz just to deceive the people before you can make significant impacts in their lives. The same official version l saw the Governor using since inauguration is what he is still using till date.
6. *EKITI FAMILY VALUES*
To manage the home front while in power, the accompanied challenges could look difficult and unsurmountable. It takes a real and sincere leader to preserve the position of number one family of a state like ours as an example to emulate by all. Much kudos must be given to our Mummy, the ebullient Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, the First Lady of our dear State for not just managing the home front but managing the entire state from the home front.
7. *RESPECT FOR HUMAN DIGNITY*
If there is anything Ekiti loves so much, it is respect for human dignity and sincerity. One of the many reasons that endeared Governor Oyebanji to the majority of Ekiti people away from politics is his display of the ethos of Omoluabi in his conduct, candour, and and charisma which has earned and further launched Ekiti into a respected and enviable position within the comity of states.
Above and many other convincing reasons make the re-election of Governor Oyebanji sacrosanct and evidently clear and far from genuflecting. He is sincere and genuinely committed to the development of Ekiti.
HC Ade, writes from Atinkankan, Ado Ekiti
