Politics Behind Executive Endorsement Of Oyebanji For Second Term

By Ayodele Oni

One of the highlights of the first year anniversary celebration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji by the Government of Ekiti State is his endorsement for a second term during a Thanksgiving service to round off the celebration.

Three  of the former Civilian Governors of the State who attended the church service publicly declared their support for Oyebanji who has just completed one year  out of the four years which make up the first term.

The former Governors, Niyi Adebayo, Ayodele Fayose and Kayode Fayemi were all at the Church Service, while Segun Oni stayed away. In the endorsement team was Senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele who has volunteered to Chairman the campaign team for second term.

First to be invited to make a speech among the former governors was Fayemi who said: “We are Ekiti and we observe seniority, even among Governors, we observe ranking.

“We all feel the same way on the current occupant of the seat. It is the most senior among us, that should address the people first.”

Adebayo said: “I am the most senior of the former governors, I will call my younger brother, Ayo Fayose, to address this gathering.”

Fayose said: “You know me very well that I am not the one who will tell you what you like. I will always tell you as it is.

“We are all together for Abiodun Oyebanji, I am not a member of your party, APC, and I will not be. I am with you, Oyebanji 100 per cent.

Social media has been awash with reactions on the endorsement of a governor that has just completed a year out of four years, making up a tenure. The one which really caught the attention of the people is that of Fayose, a chieftain of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) who became two term governor on its ticket.

One major conclusion of the various voices is that the endorsement is meant to scare others that may be interested in contesting in 2026, after the expiration of Oyebanji’s first term. There have been speculations in some circles that the Minister of solid minerals, Dele Alake, an ally of President Bola Tinubu, may likely have a shot at the Governorship, using his connection with the President.

Alake, an indigene of the state, is seen more as  Lagosian who is using the slot of Ekiti as a Minister. He once contested for Ekiti North senatorial seat on the ticket of the Action Congress and returned to Lagos after he lost out at the Primary. Since then, he has not been visible in the politics of Ekiti.

The PDP in reaction to Fayose’s endorsement of Oyebanji for second term in a statement by the Chairman caretaker committee, Sadiq Obanoyen stated that “It is preposterous to suggest that any member of the PDP would endorse the incumbent governor. To do so would imply that we desire the PDP to lose not only the upcoming Ekiti 2026 governorship election, but also the subsequent 9 National Assembly and 26 State House of Assembly elections. It has become a prevailing trend in the State that once a Party loses the governorship election, all subsequent elections are also lost.

“Furthermore, such an endorsement would deprive the Party of more than 20 Commissionership positions, as well as numerous Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, and Special Assistants roles at the state level.

“It would also hinder the Party’s ability to secure 16 Chairmanship, 16 Vice Chairmanship, and 16 Secretaryship positions at the Local Government Councils, along with 19 Local Council Development Chairmanship, 16 Vice Chairmanship, and 16 Secretaryship positions at the Local Council Development Areas.

“Additionally, it will deny the Party 177 Councilorship positions and over 1,000 Supervisors and Advisers roles at the Local Government and Local Council Develoment levels. The ramifications of such an endorsement are immense.No rational PDP member would join Fayose in his selfish voyage, except for the members of his PDAPC party in Ekiti State. For the sake of the Ekiti people who long for the return of the PDP to power in Ekiti, such an endorsement would be a great disservice.

“It is disappointing, but not surprising, to witness Fayose, who has been suspended by Ekiti PDP for his involvement with the APC and anti-party activities, playing a pawn in the APC’s chess game. A Party led by Adebayo and Fayemi, who have reduced Fayose to a figure of amusement with his fractured postulations as he gradually descends into irrelevance. The truth of the matter is that the Ekiti APC knows how to manipulate Fayose to their advantage, but they do not eagerly welcome him into their Party.”

Social media reactions to the endorsement are divergent, with some backing the move while others condemned the premature decision.

One writes “Personally, I’ve no problem having BAO for a second term. It’s a constitutional right.

However, I think it’s too early for such chicanery. It portends nothing but danger to the polity. While BAO would have loved to work harder and deliver on his 2022 electoral promises, the new fiat proclamation by those who believe Ekiti is in their pockets will distract him and there will be more of politicking than concrete achievements.

“Not only that, by January 2024, there will be an influx of aspirants who would want to challenge the declaration. At the end, we’re back to square one. That declaration, to me, is unnecessary and outrightly premature. It’s pure theatrics and a political chicanery that BAO should take with a pinch of salt. 24 hours is too long in politics. There will always be calculations and permutations which no one can always tell of its ends  – SnrKosija@oshojokini.

Another one “Alagba, let us stop deceiving ourselves, BAO himself knows that that endorsement is just for the mouth, 2026 is still far, a day or hours means a lot in politics, if the power hawks around the presidency prefer the man come the next election, they only need to flash the EFCC cases to the duo of the endorsers to wipe them to the line, pronto.

“Don’t forget that the possibility of independent candidate may likely scale the NASS before then what BAO should concentrate on right away is concentrating on real deliverables not satisfying or robbing any ego to satisfy all which will lead to satisfying no one. The man and others still have equal chances like BAO

‘Only a senseless PDP member will be moved by Fayose endorsing BAO, someone who vowed he will support his son with his last blood, his last blood couldn’t save his son’s ambition, ordinary councilor he has not produced since he left office, he won his local govt last in 2014,so what’s special, it is u APC that is turning yourself to element of mockery, allowing someone who lost it all to be using ur party to cover up his shame.

“Imagine someone who didn’t come to Ekiti to vote for Asiwaju claiming he made Asiwaju win in Ekiti, his son election was same day with Asiwaju, he lost. Only Fayemi knows Fayose better, others are just dancing to him unaware of the impending danger.

“Any Governor planning  for second term agenda in the just  completion of  one year in office is a  complete failure.  Too early for second term endorsement. Please, your selfish interest can  not place above Ekiti people.”