Ekiti Governorship: No Automatic Ticket For Oyebanji – APC

By Ayodele Oni

The Ekiti State chapter of the All Progressive Congress,(APC), has clarified that current wave of adoption of Governor Biodun Oyebanji does not mean an automatic ticket for his second term.

The APC maintained that the endorsements by different strata of the society does not, in anyway, stop other willing aspirants from contesting the primaries with him.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had fixed governorship election in the state for June next year, while party primaries are to hold before the end of the year.

Mr. Segun Dipe, State Publicity Secretary of the party, made the clarification in Ado-Ekiti, during a chat with Newsmen.

“Some might have been wondering why virtually everyone is rooting for the governor, but I think that is not his fault. It is not his making.

“Perhaps his performance is what is speaking for him, and yet, others are free and welcome to contest with him, if he eventually shows interest.

“Don’t also forget that the law allows people, including the governor, to show interest, because constitutionally, he has eight years tenure of two terms to run, if the people so permit him.

“The fact that the people are trying to re-present Oyebanji may have clearly shown that he has done quite a lot that attracted them, and it is believed that he does not have control over that.

“But I am insisting that as a party, all individuals are free to come and try their luck,” he said.

He pointed out that contrary to the wrong impression being created by some opposition figures in the state, the mass adoption of the governor by individuals, groups, societies and institutions was never the making of the governor, saying it was based on his achievements and performance as a good ambassador of the party.

According to him, the ruling APC in the state is not leaving anything to chance, despite the growing adoptions, maintaining that the current administration would stop at nothing to fully deliver on all of its electoral promises.

He announced that the APC, despite being a ruling party in the state, is not taking anything to chances, saying continued membership drive remains a top priority.

On the tenure of the current party EXCO, he said the current crop of leadership came into office in 2021, and are expected to wind down this year.

However, he said such winding down would still be subject to the national headquarter’s decision, “believing that no serious party will want to change the goal post, in the middle of the game.”