By Ikechukwu Okaforadi
A governorship aspirant in the 2022 election in Ekiti State, Abiodun Oyebanji, has said that the enormous achievements so far recorded by the incumbent Governor of the State, Kayode Fayemi, is an enough ground to beat the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) hands down in the electoral contest.
Oyebanji said this at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja when he picked his expression of interest and nomination forms, where he boasted that the ruling party will ride on the back of milestones recorded by the incumbent Governor, who is of the ruling party, to win the election.
“What do you expect from the opposition? You said they are in opposition. That is their opinion, and the beauty of democracy is that they are entitled to that. We are going to run on Governor Fayemi’s performance to win this election and we are going to win hands down”, he said, while responding to the statement by the PDP that poor performance of the incumbent Governor will give victory to the opposition.
He said in line with the governor’s directive that those with political ambition in his cabinet should resign immediately, he resigned his appointment Tuesday, hence he is at the Secretariat to pick up his forms, adding that he will remain grateful to God and his Governor for the opportunity given to him to serve.
Elucidating on his experience which will serve as his unique selling points, the aspirant said “I’m a product of grace. God has been good to me. Ekiti is 25 years old today. To the glory of God, I have put in eleven years in the service of Ekiti State at the executive level. I started as an SSA, as an SA and then Chief of Staff to the present governor of Ekiti State.
“Under Governor Kayode Fayemi, I was commissioner for Integration and Inter-government affairs, head office of transformation strategy and delivery, commissioner for project and economic planning under his first term in office. And when he came back again, I had the opportunity to serve as the secretary to the government of the State.
“At the executive level in Ekiti State, there are two positions I am yet to hold, they are the governor and the deputy governor. And during the agitation for the creation of Ekiti State, as a young man of 26 years old, I was Secretary to the committee that fought for the creation of Ekiti State. I have the perfect understanding of the sentiment of our people.
“I know their needs, I know their situation. I was part of the team that crafted the blueprint for Ekiti State and I have learnt under the feet of great men, I have worked with two governors at very close levels. I have seen them make very tough decisions and I have seen them navigate the various curves in administration. I believe that I am well positioned and experienced to lead Ekiti State.
“Especially to continue the good work of governor Kayode Fayemi. I am part and parcel of his vision, the five pillars and the five pillars is work in progress and I intend to wramp up from where he ends.”
He said the most critical thing about governance is connecting with the people, to ask them for their needs, saying his administration is going to do governance with the people and not for the people.
