Tinubu warns Ekiti politicians against early 2030 gov declarations

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji (4th from the right, and others at the inauguration ceremony of his second term in office, at the Ekitiparapo Pavilion, New Iyin Road, Ado Ekiti, the state capital, on Friday.

President Bola Tinubu has cautioned members of the political class in Ekiti State against constituting an unnecessary distraction to Governor Biodun Oyebanji through early declaration of interest in the 2030 governorship contest, saying such a declaration could cause internal contradictions capable of derailing governance.

The President gave the admonition as Oyebanji promised to undertake more transformative initiatives to rejig the economy and tackle poverty, unemployment and deprivation as his second term begins.

Oyebanji and his Deputy, Monisade Afuye, were inaugurated for a second term at an inauguration ceremony held at the Ekitiparapo Pavilion, New Iyin Road, Ado Ekiti, the state capital, on Friday.

Speaking on Sunday during a special second-term inauguration thanksgiving service, held at the Anglican Cathedral of Emmanuel, Okesa, Ado Ekiti, Tinubu appealed to politicians to consider the state’s interest, rather than having a primordial entitlement of being eligible to contest for the governorship seat.

The President, represented by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, commended Oyebanji for ending the first term.

He urged the governor to continue to pilot the affairs of the state with the spirit of inclusivity and respect for all citizens as demonstrated in the first term.

The President said, “To the political class, let us show love to this administration. Let us show love to Ekiti. Loyalty to Governor Oyebanji is loyalty to Ekiti. It is when we are loyal that we won’t distract him or start declaring to occupy his seat so early.

“Let me say this: whoever says he wants to become the governor in the next three years is an enemy of progress. Let us bear in mind that the moment you declare interest in governorship, there will be distraction. Don’t let us see politics as the only industry in Ekiti. Let us think of other things and look at the larger picture and the interest of Ekiti.

“I appeal to you, continue to be who you are. Let no one, not the traditional rulers, not the former governors, not the political class, not the civil servants, not the women or youth groups, change who you are. You are not the first governor to run for a second term, but to the glory of God, you were the first to hand over to yourself. Others fought hard to come back. This was a grace.

“Whoever breaks the jinx of a second term after you will have you as a reference point. There is power in continuity, so you must work hard to ensure continuity in this state. God will help you to perform better.”

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In his remarks, Oyebanji thanked the Ekiti people for their support as he vowed to serve them with “humility.”

He noted that while his administration saw to improving the state’s infrastructure, his second term will largely focus on “industrialisation and prosperity” for the people, as he sought cooperation from traditional rulers and the residents of the state.

“Let me assure you that my second term will be better than the first term, with emphasis on industrialisation and prosperity for our people. In our first, we had put infrastructure in place to attract investors to this state. With industrialisation, employment will be here, and everyone will prosper.

“But government alone can’t do it, so we are partnering with our traditional rulers on the issue of land. Investors won’t come when people are not ready to release land, and if there is no cooperation from the people, there will be problems. There are sacrifices we have to make to bring industries here.

“I know I am confronted with the burden of 87.7% of the total votes cast that you gave me in the last election. I know that the only way I can go is for me to serve Ekiti in the way that glorifies God. I promise before God and man today that I will serve you with humility, listen to you and connect with you.

“It is my desire that after my exit, I should be able to walk tall like my predecessors are doing,’ he stated.

In his homily, the Bishop of the Diocese of Ekiti, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Andrew Ajayi, urged the governor to perceive the position he occupies as being held in trust for the people, as he showered encomiums on him for ending the first term gloriously.

To smoothen governance in the second term, the Cleric appealed to the citizens to fulfil their obligations through payment of all taxes and levies, as well as complying strictly with laws guiding governance.

At the event were the First Lady of Ekiti State, Prof. Olayemi Oyebanji; former Governors Niyi Adebayo, Ayodele Fayose, Segun Oni, and Kayode Fayemi, represented by his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; among other dignitaries.