The new governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, was, yesterday, sworn into office to succeed former governor of the state, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

He was sworn in by the state Chief Judge (CJ), Justice Oyewole Adeyeye, at exactly 12:53 p.m. at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

In his acceptance speech titled: “Now Let’s Keep Ekiti Working,” Oyebanji said the summary of his mission was designed to position Ekiti State for peace and prosperity despite challenges.

He said the mission was anchored on six pillars, which have been carefully designed to position Ekiti for peace and prosperity. Oyebanji, who urged support for Tinubu in 2023, appealed to the political class across partisan divides and stakeholders in the state to ensure the upcoming elections are conducted peacefully and decently in the overall interest of the state.

MEANWHILE, the Northern Governors’ Forum has congratulated Fayemi for a successful tenure and record of achievements.
It also congratulated the new governor, Oyebanji, as he assumes office, urging him to continue in the footsteps of his predecessor by pursuing practical development and also building bridges across the nation.

Chairman of the forum and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong, in a statement said Fayemi discharged his duties with passion, commitment and excellence during his tenure.

SIMILARLY, Chairman of South-West Governors’ Forum and Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has congratulated Fayemi on the successful completion of his tenure.

Akeredolu said the totality of Fayemi’s eight years as governor had been marked with remarkable excellence and immeasurable positive impact.

This was contained in a statement made available to journalists in Akure, yesterday, by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Richard Olatunde.

IN another development, the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has urged Ekiti State residents to give him 95 per cent of their votes.

He urged the people to ignore the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party (LP) candidate, Peter Obi, if they come to the state.

Tinubu, at the inauguration of Oyebanji, said the Ekiti electorate should continually support the APC in all elections, especially in 2023.

He said: “Someone called himself Abubakar Atiku while someone said he is Peter Obi. If they come to you, tell them you don’t know them. Tell them the only person you know is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“I commend you for voting Biodun Oyebanji in the governorship election. Some termites came in the name of politics to steal your votes, but you resisted them.

“In 2023, shine your eyes and prevent vote riggers from stealing your votes. Vote APC, it is the only party that can give you good governance.”