BY LAW IBITOYE
The Chairman and Coordinator for Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji’s Endorsement, former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Surv. Abiodun Aluko has said no dime was paid for the deluge of endorsements for Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s re-election in 2026.
The Ikere born politician and All Progressives Congress Stalwart said the achievements of the governor in less than three years in office and his ‘Omoluabi ethos’ has necessitated the daily endorsements he gets from communities, organisations, opposition parties and private organisations, saying, Governor Oyebanji is a God sent.
Surveyor Aluko disclosed this in his county home in Ikere Ekiti while fielding questions from selected journalists on Thursday. The Chairman said the achievements of the governor in all sectors has been speaking for him, no government official or party chieftain offered money to any group, association or organisations to endorse the governor for second term but out of appreciation for his good works in the state that’s visible for all and sundry made almost every body in the street clamouring for his return in 2026.
“In the first instance, Governor Biodun Oyebanji had been doing well since he became the governor and we don’t want to leave anything to chance. We are in a multi-party democratic system. We conceived the idea that early birds catch the worms. We don’t have to wait until a month or so to the primaries before we start mobilising and sensitising the people. We want ninety percent of the votes for BAO. He deserves it. For your information, this is not at the prompting of BAO himself.
The Ekiti South started it for two reasons, firstly, to appreciate what BAO is doing in Ekiti State, and the other one was for selfish reasons.”
Speaking on while the endorsement started from Ekiti South, Surveyor Aluko said Ekiti South has not produced governor since 1999 and we will not rock the boat, if we give maximum support to BAO, when he completes his tenure,
Ekiti South takes it up in 2030. That Ekiti South has not produced governor is not because we don’t have competent people. We have very competent people but i believe is not yet our turn. 2030 is the turn of South. From my own point of view, i believe BAO is doing well and he deserves a second term. After North, it comes back to the Central”
While reiterating that the party has not foreclosed any other members to join the race, Surv. Aluko said no one has declared intention to run against the incumbent, saying they are allowed. He said about fourteen members contested against former Governor Kayode Fayemi . He however enjoined the masses to support the governor to continue his good works, saying with him in 2026, Ekiti is in safe hands .
Comparing the past administrations with the present, the APC chieftain said, “Well, morning shows the day. Though, things have improved much better than when we were in office and better than when Fayemi was in office because the President has already expanded the financial base of the resources of Nigeria. More money now comes to the State and to the local government. And we are seeing with our eyes what BAO is doing with the money. He has spent two years plus, not even up to three years now. If he could do all these within the short period, let’s give him an opportunity to run a second term. He has that constitutional right. Let’s give it to him, encourage him, pray for him and cooperate with him to make sure that at least within the eight years of BAO as Governor, he himself will look back and say he left Ekiti State better than he met it. There’s no Mr. Perfect and nobody can satisfy the whole world. From my own perspective, I will say the man is doing well. I am appealing to our people to give him the second chance to rule.”
