The Ekiti State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress(APC), has declared that Governor Biodun Oyebanji and his Deputy, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye would control the levers of power in the state till 2030.
The party’s State Working Committee, through its Chairman, Paul Omotoso, said there is no vacancy in the Ekiti State Government House, despite that they are not oblivious of the agitations by the Ekiti South Senatorial District that they also have inalienable right to the position.
Omotoso made the declaration, on Thursday, during the visit of the Deputy Governor to the State Secretariat of the party in Ajilosun Area of Ado-Ekiti metropolis to rejoice with members of the SWC on the occasion of Christmas and New Year’s festivities.
In his commendations to the Deputy Governor, whom he described as a loyal lieutenant to Oyebanji, Omotoso posited that he was nudged to make the declaration owing to the electrifying popularity and high performance index of the current occupant of the seat.
Rationalising his position further, the APC Chairman said: “We know that our people from the South Senatorial District are also entitled to the seat, but they should wait for their time. There is time for everything under the sun.
“As of now, We have a Governor in Biodun Oyebanji and Deputy in Monisade Afuye who are so capable and competent, so there is nothing the South wanted that the Deputy Governor cannot offer them.
“Let the members of the party go and spread this gospel across the local governments that there is no vacancy in the government House for the next seven years. After the eight years of the Governor and the Deputy Governor, then the South can have it. Our people must be patient”.
The party’s stalwart, who described the Deputy Governor as part and parcel of the SWC, being the immediate past APC State Women Leader, exuded pride about the performance of Oyebanji’s administration.
In an uncommon fashion, Omotoso lauded the Deputy Governor for her unflagging loyalty to the governor and the APC, saying this has helped in stabilising the party and brings dividends of democracy to the populace.
The APC Chairman said the present government has been able to achieve tremendous milestones in terms of democracy dividends owing to robust relationship between the Governor and his deputy.
Omotoso added: “We are particularly happy with the way you have been defending and promoting this party, particularly members of the APC SWC. We all know what is happening in town regarding the acceptability of this government.
“As the opposition parties and the public are saying the governor is good and doing well, they are also saying he is lucky to have a good and humble Deputy. This had added to Mr Governor’s popularity in town.
“If not for this, we would have been settling crisis everyday instead of consolidating on the gains of democracy to the people. So, we thank our amiable and humble deputy for giving the best of cooperation to our Governor. We are really proud of you.
“To us, we have the believe that the sky is your starting point. We have not made a mistake for making you the Deputy Governor of our dear state”.
Addressing the SWC members, led by its State Chairman, the Deputy Governor, saluted the party for being supportive to the governor, particularly for picking Governor Oyebanji at the primary election.
The Deputy, who donated cash gift to the party SWC members, promised to continually fraternise with the party’s top echelon through generous donations and playing of advisory roles to strengthen APC for future political endeavours.
Mrs Afuye also praised the immediate past Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi for working assiduously to ensure their victory at the poll, saying his principal and herself would forever be grateful to the former Minister.
“In Nigeria’s political trends, we have experienced in some states when the party will go to the south, while the government will go to the west. But in Ekiti State, both the party and government are going the same direction.
“If not for the fact that you picked us, who are we? We are just small fries in the party, but you elevated us. We are not going to take this for granted”.
