- Safiu Kehinde
Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has, alongside some residents and members of various political parties, endorsed President Bola Tinubu and Governor Biodun Oyebanji for second term in office.
Speaking at the endorsement rally held on Monday in Ado-Ekiti, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) chieftain promised to work for the resounding victory of Tinubu and Oyebanji.
Fayose, who wore PDP cap, vowed not to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) but would work for the second term victories of Tinubu and Oyebanji, because of their performance.
“I hereby endorse publicly, without reservation, President Bola Tinubu for a second term. I also endorse our governor, Biodun Oyebanji, and his deputy for a second term.
I am not a member of his party and I will never be, but I stand here to say I have seen the good work. I commend Governor Oyebanji’s humility and leadership. He deserves another term,” he said.
According to reports, the endorsement rally which took place at the 14,000-capacity Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, was filled to capacity with artisans, civil servants, unions and associations.
The endorsement was also attended by faithful of the ruling APC, and scores of residents, with different political affiliations.
Among the opposition party leaders at the event were: former deputy governor and one-time Senate Minority Leader, Abiodun Olujimi; former Governor, Segun Oni of the Social Democratic Party(SDP); and Chief Obafemi Adewale (SAN) of PDP.
At the occasion, the duo of Olujimi and Adewale, including their followers, announced their defection to APC.
On the list of APC chieftains were: Senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele; Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State; former Gov. Niyi Adebayo; all serving and former Senators and Reps from Ekiti.
Others were; Chairman, Nigeria Ports Authority, Dayo Adeyeyye and Mr Oyetunji Ojo, Chairman, Federal Housing Authority(FHA).
In his welcome address, the chairman of the Statewide Endorsement Committee, Chief Abiodun Aluko, said the event was a confirmation of the collective will of Ekiti people, after months of similar endorsements at senatorial, local and ward levels.
According to him, the endorsement rally is also to appreciate the good works of both Tinubu and Oyebanji.
Aluko, a former deputy governor, said that with the public endorsement, the second term of Tinubu and Oyebanji were not negotiable.
Highlights of the event include the motion moved by the senate leader for the endorsement of the second term of Tinubu, and seconded by Femi Bamisile, member, representing Emure/Gbonyin/Ekiti East Federal Constituency.
Another motion for second term of Oyebanji was moved by Speaker, Ekiti Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye, and seconded by his deputy, Bolaji Akinyemi.
Addressing the rally, Senator Bashir Ajibola, APC National Secretary, who received the decampees, promised that the party leadership would ensure that more Nigerians were attracted to the party.
He promised that the party would give equal rights to leaders who newly decamped to the party.
In his goodwill message, Bamidele described the endorsement, as a payback time on achievements of Tinubu and Oyebanji.
He advised Ekiti people not to be deceived by the antics of enemies, especially the newly formed African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition.
“ADC is a wrong choice in politics,” Bamidele said.