The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, has told her kindreds from Ikere Ekiti that her principal, Governor Biodun Oyebanji remains the only option that can protect their interest in governance, urging them to massively support his candidacy in the June 20 governorship poll.
Mrs Afuye told Ikere indigenes to shun entreaties from any politician under the facade of “home boy advantage”, restating that Governor Oyebanji has been an immense blessing to the community, in terms of appointments and siting of impactful infrastructures.
The Ekiti’s number two citizen spoke in Ikere Ekiti, on Friday, while distributing bags of rice and cash gifts to members of the All Progressives Congress and other non-partisan citizens across the 11 wards in Ikere Local Government to celebrate Easter .
Mrs Afuye undertook the tour in company with party bigwigs , where she appealed to well meaning indigenes and party leaders to reach out to the needy in the spirit of Easter, that symbolizes the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Addressing the party faithful, the Deputy Governor, admonished aggrieved APC members hurling insults and tantrums against party leaders for losing out in the National and State assemblies’ tickets on social media, to desist.
Mrs Afuye warned that such conduct could have a pernicious backlash on the perpetrators in the future, saying loyalty to the party at the most difficult times could attract rewards that can bolster meteoric rise of individuals in APC.
Branding Oyebanji as a blessing to Ekiti, Ikere Ekiti in particular, Mrs Afuye, urged voters to reciprocate the Ikere-Igbara Odo, Ikere- Ilawe road, tarring of Moshood intra city road, Ikere- Ise road, the Ikere farm settlements, among other projects Governor Oyebanji undertook in the town, with massive votes in the coming election.
“Don’t let me deceive you, Ikere is highly favoured under this government in terms of appointments and projects. Not every other town could boost of what we enjoy under this government.
“Apart from the fact that I am the Deputy Governor, there are other many appointments the governor picked from Ikere. Look at those road projects that are boosting our economy. By every standard of measurement, Governor Oyebanji deserves our votes.
“The governor is not limiting appointments of Ikere indigenes to the state,very many of us had got appointments from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu because of the smooth working relationship between our governor and the presidency.
“We heard and we had confirmed how some APC members had been holding midnight meetings and planning to work for the opposition, because they didn’t get the tickets. They should be patient. Their own time will surely come. And if they want to defect to another party, they can go. But as members of the same political family, I advise them to stay with us.
“The Governor trusts us so well in Ikere Ekiti. He regards this place as his second home. Don’t let us betray this trust. We shouldn’t just vote and win, let us double our votes for him in the June 20 election. Let us make it massive, so that APC’s respect for us can be doubled “.
Establishing why loyalty is a disservice to the party and oneself, Mrs Afuye disclosed how steadfastness had led to her being considered by party leaders for the deputy governorship position prior to 2022 election.
“Before the 2022 election, I had tried to get some positions in APC, but the party leaders in their wisdom gave them to other qualified persons. I was at home when they also called me that I should come and be Deputy Governor without any stress. That was what our God and our party can do.
“APC is a party that believes in doing things in an organised manner. If you are patient and loyal, your own time will surely come”.