BY LAW IBITOYE
Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has applauded the leadership style of Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, describing him as a selfless and humble leader whose outstanding performance has further united members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the forthcoming governorship primary.
Bamidele made the remarks during a meeting with members of the APC State Executive Committee at the party secretariat in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
He urged party members to remain peaceful, law-abiding, and united as preparations intensify for the APC primary scheduled for Monday, 27th October 2025. He commended the State Executive Committee for their unwavering loyalty and support for the governor, saying their cooperation has enhanced internal democracy and strengthened party cohesion.
“My mission here today is to appreciate the leadership of our party — the elders, youth, and women — who have stood firmly with His Excellency, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, and by the rest of us,” he stated.
Bamidele emphasized that the national leadership of the APC has strictly followed the constitution and guidelines of the party in organizing the Ekiti governorship primary election.
According to him, the party’s national secretariat approved a consensus arrangement in line with party rules, following the withdrawal of one of the two cleared aspirants, who endorsed Governor Oyebanji for a second term. He explained, however, that ward congresses would still be conducted to affirm the consensus choice.
“Our constitution provides three modes of primaries: direct, indirect, and consensus. Even where consensus is adopted, there must be affirmation. That is why representatives from the national secretariat will supervise the process,” he clarified.
The Senate Leader, who arrived at the venue with Governor Oyebanji, expressed confidence that the exercise would be peaceful and crisis-free.
“Within the next 72 hours when the process will take place, no one will die and there will be no violence. God has made this easy for us,” he assured.
Bamidele praised Governor Oyebanji’s commitment to peace and his resolve that no political ambition is worth the loss of lives.
He stressed that Oyebanji’s humility and developmental strides are responsible for the overwhelming support he enjoys both within and outside the party.
“It is a settled principle of democracy that where a governor or president has performed well, he has the first right of refusal. Governor Oyebanji has earned that right,” he said.
Responding to media questions about a protest staged in Abuja by some aggrieved party members, Bamidele dismissed its significance.
“They showed me the video — only 17 people. As a politician, I see it as one of those things,” he said, though noting that it underscores the need for continued political education and engagement.
He appealed to the media to objectively assess the achievements of the Oyebanji administration, urging critics to visit Ekiti and see the infrastructural and development gains recorded despite limited resources.
Earlier, the APC State Chairman, Barrister Sola Eleshin, described both Oyebanji and Bamidele as leaders driven by humility and grassroots commitment. He noted that the current leadership of the party in Ekiti has remained cohesive and united since inception.
“This is the first executive without a fracture. Even at the local government level, our members are united like one family,” he said.
Eleshin also lauded Bamidele’s empowerment initiatives, describing them as impactful and beneficial to a majority of his constituents.
Bamidele concluded by urging party loyalists to prioritize unity and the collective progress of the state.
“Even when we are angry, let us follow due process. Think about the party, think about the state, and always choose unity,” he advised