My Fresh Mandate Offers Opportunity To Deliver More For EKITI People – Oyebanji

Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has said the fresh mandate given to him by the people offers an opportunity to work harder and deliver more dividends of democracy in the overall interest of the state.

Oyebanji said his administration would vigorously consolidate the progress recorded in the previous four years to ensure that the benefits of good governance and development were felt in every home across the state.

The governor spoke shortly after his inauguration for a second four-year term, seeking the support and cooperation of Ekiti citizens at home and in the diaspora to make the state a model of good governance.

Oyebanji, who secured re-election for a second consecutive term, was sworn in at an impressive ceremony held at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, Ado-Ekiti, on Friday. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was represented at the event by Vice-President Kashim Shettima.

The Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Adekanye Ogunmoye, administered the oath of allegiance and oath of office to Oyebanji at 1:34 p.m., with the First Lady, Prof. Olayemi Oyebanji, witnessing the ceremony. His deputy, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, had earlier been sworn in at 1:29 p.m.

Shortly after taking the oath, Oyebanji inspected the guard of honour mounted by officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force, riding in a ceremonial police Land Rover as he acknowledged cheers from the enthusiastic crowd.

In his inaugural address, the governor paid tribute to his predecessors, commending their contributions to the growth and development of the state. He also extended a hand of fellowship to his opponents in the last governorship election: Dr Wole Oluyede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Isaac Alade of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and Chief Joseph Anifowose of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

Acknowledging the enormous responsibilities ahead, Oyebanji promised to remain accessible, listen to the people, welcome constructive advice and work with citizens across political and social divides to realise the state’s potential and achieve shared prosperity.

He thanked Tinubu for his support and commitment to Ekiti State, saying the President’s backing during his first term had contributed to achievements in infrastructure, healthcare, education and human capital development, among other sectors.

Oyebanji urged Ekiti residents to support Tinubu and Shettima in the 2027 presidential election, saying their re-election would be crucial to the state’s future.

“This election is even more crucial to the future of our state. We need them not only to win, but to win big in Ekiti,” he said.

Addressing Ekiti indigenes across Nigeria and in the diaspora, the governor urged them to bring their knowledge, experience, investments and networks home to support development initiatives.

“Ekiti-Kete, this second mandate brings a greater responsibility to deliver. I know that public trust must be earned afresh every day. I will remain accessible. I will listen. I will welcome honest counsel and work with people across our political and social divides.

“Where we have done well, we will build further. Where we have fallen short, we will make corrections. Where our people still face hardship, we will keep seeking practical answers. Four years ago, we set out to keep Ekiti working. In the four years ahead, we must make sure that our work yields more for our people,” he said.

The governor also pledged to promote technology, innovation and the responsible use of artificial intelligence. He said institutions and businesses would be encouraged to develop practical solutions, create useful products and prepare young people for emerging opportunities.

He further promised to strengthen the connection between education, enterprise, practical skills and the demands of a changing economy, describing the ongoing Ekiti Knowledge Zone (EKZ) project as part of that vision.

Oyebanji said his administration would also create more opportunities for women entrepreneurs, traders, artisans, persons with disabilities and young people whose abilities were constrained by limited opportunities.

He noted that every part of Ekiti had something to contribute, adding that the government’s responsibility was to create an environment in which more of the state’s potential could flourish.

Speaking on behalf of Tinubu, Shettima assured the people that Oyebanji would not betray their trust, expressing confidence that his second term would deliver better results in unity, governance and political leadership.

The President described the inauguration as the “beginning of a season of complementary service” and congratulated Oyebanji and Afuye on their electoral victory, which he said demonstrated democratic strength over mediocrity.

“You have earned the confidence and trust of your people, going by what you did in your first term. You have demonstrated your competence in the way you attended to the concerns of your people,” Tinubu said.

He thanked Ekiti residents for giving their governor another opportunity, expressing optimism that the second term would be more prosperous.

“We are very optimistic that his second term shall be more prosperous. He promised you prosperity in his first term, and he delivered. Be rest assured that the second term shall be better,” he said.

Tinubu also appealed for patience amid the prevailing economic challenges, saying his administration had made progress in restructuring the economy and moving it beyond instability. He expressed optimism that the coming years would bring relief and greater economic prosperity to Nigerians.

Dignitaries at the ceremony
Governors at the inauguration included the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State; Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodimma of Imo State; Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos; Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo; Ahmed Ododo of Kogi; Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto; Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta; Umar Namadi of Jigawa; Nasir Idris of Kebbi; and Umar Bago of Niger State.

Others were Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, represented by his deputy, Kola Adewusi, and Uba Sani of Kaduna State, represented by his deputy, Hadiza Balarabe.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin; Senate Majority Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele; and senators representing Ekiti State, Yemi Adaramodu and Cyril Fasuyi, also attended alongside other members of the National Assembly.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, led members of the party’s National Working Committee to the ceremony.

Former Ekiti governors Niyi Adebayo, Ayodele Fayose, Segun Oni and Kayode Fayemi were present. Former governors from other states included Bisi Akande of Osun, Segun Osoba of Ogun and Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo.

Traditional rulers at the event included the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; the Emir of Borgu, Alhaji Mohammed Haliru Dantoro; the Ogoga of Ikere and Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado; and the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, alongside other Ekiti monarchs.

Other dignitaries included former Nigerian Bar Association President, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN); Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye; Osun State First Lady, Titilola Adeleke; and former Ekiti First Lady, Erelu Bisi Fayemi.

Also present were the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa; Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake; former Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu; Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dayo Adeyeye; Ekiti APC Chairman, Sola Elesin; Chief Executive Officer of Cavista Holdings, John Olajide; and Group Managing Director of Premium Trust Bank, Emmanuel Emefienim.