A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ,and former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Bimbo Daramola, has described the second-term inauguration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji as a historic moment for Ekiti State.
Daramola, who spoke after attending the thanksgiving service marking the governor’s inauguration for another four-year term, said it was a day to thank God for several reasons.
According to him, the inauguration marks the first hand-to-hand transition by any administration since the creation of Ekiti State about 30 years ago.
“All the past Governors before now had been kicked out in different circumstances, from the very first to the immediate past, before they managed to stage a comeback, two of them never did,” he noted.
He added that the process was peaceful and devoid of bloodletting, and expressed joy that he was part of the process that led to the historic day.
“Now the succession pathway has been altered and one can only hope that Ekiti people will keep having Governors adjudged by them to be given this opportunity,” Daramola said.
The former lawmaker explained that he missed the formal inauguration ceremony because his United Nigeria Airlines flight scheduled to leave Abuja was delayed until 2:30pm, arriving Ado-Ekiti after the event had ended, leaving him to attend only the thanksgiving service.
He described the thanksgiving as a service that lived up to its name, praying that God would journey with the leadership of the state and grant them wisdom to make the lives of the people better.
Daramola congratulated Governor Oyebanji, Deputy Governor Princess Monisade Christianah Afuye, and the First Lady, Prof. Mrs Olayemi Oyebanji, whom he described as the “adviser of last resort.”
He also congratulated the first set of staff announced by the administration — Chief of Staff, Mr Niyi Adebayo, Secretary to the State Government, Alhaja Adubiaro, and Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olayinka Oyebode.