There is a heavy security presence in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state as Governor-elect Biodun Oyebanji takes the oath of office today. The tenure of his predecessor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, lapsed at midnight after the expiration of his tenure, paving way for the new helmsman to take over the reign of power for four years.
According to the Nation, Oyebanji will be sworn in alongside his Deputy, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye by the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Oyewole Adeyeye. A member of the transition committee who doesn’t want his name in the print told our reporter that the program will begin at 11.00 am today. Fayemi will hand over the reign of power to Oyebanji who was his Secretary to the State Government and candidate for the All Progressive Congress (APC). He emerged victorious in the June 18 governorship poll.
Scores of security personnel, comprising the men of the Police, Army, Department of State Security, and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were sighted manning strategic positions around the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, the venue of the event. The roads leading to the venue of the event and other adjoining streets within the precinct of the Ekiti patapo pavilion are under heavy security while Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and vans were stationed in front of the venue.
Oyebanji scored 187,057 votes to defeat its closest rival, Segun Oni of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), who garnered 82,211 votes, People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Otunba Bisi Kolawole who got 67,457 votes, and 13 other contestants who participated in the governorship election. The Ikogosi-Ekiti-born astute politician ascending the plum seat will break the aged-long jinx of recycled leadership and offer a platform for a thoroughbred local politician and homeboy” to Ekiti for the first time.
Meanwhile, the first aircraft to land at the newly constructed Ekiti Cargo Airport, located along Ado-Iran road, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, touched down on Saturday. This was witnessed by a jubilant crowd and dignitaries including Governor Kayode Fayemi, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment, Niyi Adebayo, Ekiti State House of Assembly Speaker, Funminiyi Afuye, his deputy, Hakeem Jamiu and other top government officials. The flight with registration number NAF 930 belonging to the Nigerian Airforce landed at the airport around 10:20 am with the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sir,ika, and officials of the ministry on board.
Addressing the mammoth crowd who witnessed the historic event, Governor Fayemi was elated at the aircraft landing and construction of the airport in record time. The outgoing governor who described the airport as a dream come true for Ekiti people said that the facility would boost the state’s socio-economic growth and development. He added that the project which began in 2019 was geared towards unlocking the vast potentials inherent in Ekiti to attract investors, provide easy transportation of agricultural produces, and job opportunities, and open Ekiti for rapid development.
