Ekiti 2022: Zoning Can’t Rob Me of My Right, Says Ex-SSG

Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

Former Secretary to the Ekiti State Government (SSG) and an All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in the state, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has said agitations for the zoning of the governorship ticket to Ekiti South senatorial district can’t deprive him of his fundamental rights to vie for the position.

Oyebanji, who is from Ekiti Central, said though the south agitators were right to advocate for the governorship seat as citizens of the state, he should also be given a leeway to the same privilege as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.

The immediate-past SSG spoke in Ado Ekiti yesterday while responding to the deafening agitations by politicians from Ekiti South extraction that the time has come for them to produce the next governor.

Oyebanji said while the south is free to agitate for the governorship, other interested aspirants from other zones can vie for the seat, with the party ensuring a level playing field for the right candidate to emerge at the primary.

He appealed to the party members to undertake thorough assessment of all the aspirants and ensure that they pick the best aspirant regardless of his zone.

Oyebanji said his campaign would be issue-based bearing in mind the promises made by all aspirants that they will be civil and democratic in their approaches.

“I respect the views and opinions of these aspirants as respectable sons of Ekiti State. They are making a legitimate right, and as much as they have the rights to agitate, I should also be allowed to exercise my fundamental rights. Nothing stops me from expressing my own aspiration as a free born and citizen of this state.

“Let me say this that the agitations will never divide us. We are united in spirit and soul. If God gives me victory, I will bring everybody together; it is in unity that we can stand and progress,” he stated.

Speaking about qualities that stand him out among others, Oyebanji said: “What we need in our governor are good character, competence, compassion and commitment.

“To the glory of God, I see myself as an embodiment of these qualities. My words are my bond, I am a loyal party man and I have always been loyal to all my bosses.”