The State Caucus of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ekiti met Saturday 27th July 2024 and commended the performance of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, BAO, who they noted had not only represented the party well as the sitting governor, but also deserves a second term in office to sustain the good work.
The caucus is the highest decision making body of the party at both the state and the federal level.
Present at the meeting, which was at the instance of the first civilian governor of the State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, were the acting State party Chairman, Hon. Olusola Elesin, the two past State Governors from the progressive fold, Otunba Adebayo himself and Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, the three senators currently representing the state, Senators Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, Yemi Adaramodu and Cyril Fasuyi, the six members of the House of Representatives, Hons Biodun Omoleye, Sola Fatoba, Akin Rotimi, Kolawole Akinlayo, Femi Bamisile and AVM Adeniyi Ojuawo.
Governor Oyebanji was present at the meeting along with his deputy, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye together with the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, his deputy Rt. Hon Bolaji Olagbaju and other principal members of the House of Assembly.
Also in the attendance were all persons provided for by the Party Constitution without anyone missing. They included the past chairman of the party, High Chief Jide Awe, past deputy chairman, Chief Mrs Kemi Olaleye, past deputy governors, Surveyor Abiodun Aluko and Prof Modupe Adelabu, all past members of the national Assembly, past speakers and deputy speakers of the State House of Assembly, members of the national and zonal executive members of the party and the statutorily recognised members of the State Exco of the party.
Also present were Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Hon. Bimbo Daramola, Hon. Bamidele Faparusi, who had hitherto been boycotting party meetings at the state level for one reason or the other was seen as a positive development and credited to the arms of fellowship being stretched by Gov. Oyebanji to all and sundry.
Welcoming participants to the meeting, the convener, Otunba Niyi Adebayo expressed satisfaction at the conduct of members, especially the good name the sitting governor was building for the party. He encouraged all leaders to keep speaking with one voice and not allow any crack within the fold.
Dr. Fayemi, the immediate past governor of the state, in his contribution said members should feel comfortably assured by the way Governor Oyebanji had been relating with members of the opposition, saying whatever any form of olive branch the governor had been waving towards the them would not affect the members negatively, but count for us as the ruling party.
The acting chairman of the party seized the occasion to reel out the activities of the party at the state level, especially since the demise of his predecessor in office, Late Bar. Paul Omotosho. He also urged the party leaders to consider the building of the party Secretariat is a priority project and legacy in honour of the later party chairman, who was codenamed Mr. Continuity in his lifetime as a result of the midwifery role he played.
Others who spoke at the gathering include Senator Bamidele on behalf of the Senate caucus, Rt. Hon Bamisile on behalf of the the Reps caucus, the speaker, Rt. Hon Aribasoye on behalf of the state assembly caucus. There were also added voices of commendation from the elders forum, Prof Muyiwa Igbalajobi, women represented by Hon. Yemisi Ayokunle, representatives of the central, northern and southern districts of the state, Pa Gabriel Faluyi, Pa Alaba Bejide and H.E. Surveyor Abiodun Aluko, and High Chief Jide Awe, respectively.
At the end of the meeting it was concluded that while the campaign time was still not ripe, the good work of Gov. Oyebanji should be encouraged to continue and continually proclaimed by all.
Signed:
Segun Dipe
State Publicity Secretary, APC, Ekiti State.
27th July 2024.
