.. Commends Oyebanji’s Leadership Qualities
The Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele while appreciating the State executive for their loyalty and support for the State governor has also, urged members of the party to remain peaceful, law-abiding, and united as the party prepares for the governorship primary slated for Monday 27th October, 2025.
Bamidele spoke during a meeting with members of the APC State executive Committee at the party secretariat in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State capital on Friday, 24th, October, 2025.
Speaking further, the Senate Leader commended the leadership qualities of Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, describing him as a selfless leader whose humility and performance have united members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state ahead of the forthcoming governorship primaries.
While addressing the party members, he said “My mission here today is to thank the leadership of our party, the elders, youth, and women who have stood by His Excellency, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, and by the rest of us,”
He noted that the national leadership of the APC has strictly followed the party’s constitution and guidelines in preparing for the Ekiti governorship primary election.
According to him, “Where a law is made, there should be no sacred cow before the law. Everyone should be equal before the law, and that is what the national secretariat of our party has upheld.”
The Senate Leader noted that the party’s national executive has approved a consensus arrangement in line with the party constitution, following the withdrawal of one of the two cleared aspirants, who endorsed Governor Oyebanji for a second term.
He explained that while the consensus option was adopted, affirmation through ward congresses would still hold to validate the decision.
“Please let us remind ourselves that our constitution prescribes three modes of primaries: direct, indirect, and consensus. In carrying out the consensus, there must still be affirmation. That is why the national leadership will be sending representatives to conduct the exercise,” he clarified.
The Senator who was accompanied by Governor Oyebanji to the party secretariat, expressed confidence that the coming exercise would be peaceful and devoid of crisis.
“I can assure you that within the next 72 hours, when the process will take place, no one will die, and there will be no fight or shedding of blood. God has made this easy for us,” he said.
He commended Governor Oyebanji’s approach to leadership, especially his decision to prioritize peace.
“The governor made it clear that his second-term ambition is not worth the blood of any Ekiti man or woman,” he recalled.
Opeyemi Bamidele, emphasized that the governor’s humility and performance were the major reasons behind the support he enjoys within the party.
“It is a settled principle of democracy that where a governor or president has done well, he has the first right of refusal unless he says he is not interested”.He said Oyebanji’s performance justifies continuity.,
Responding to questions from journalists on protests held in Abuja by some aggrieved party members, Bamidele simply described it as insignificant.
“The national secretariat informed me of a protest, and I asked them to do a video. They counted only 17 people. So, as a politician, I will say it’s one of those things.
However, speaking as a democrat, he noted that such incident reflects the need for continuous political education and engagement.
“As long as one person can still be mobilized to protest what he knows nothing about, it shows we still have work to do. We must continue to reach out and reconcile,” said he.
The Senate Leader further appealed to the media to assess the achievements of the Oyebanji administration objectively. He urged critics to visit Ekiti State and see the ongoing developmental projects despite the state’s limited resources.
“Unless we are looking for a magician as governor, our people should admit that, given the limited resources, our governor has done well,” Bamidele opined.
Earlier, the party Chairman in Ekiti State, Barrister Sola Eleshin, described both Governor Oyebanji and Senator Bamidele as leaders who have demonstrated humility and commitment to grassroots engagement.
He praised the unity within the state executive, noting that the present leadership has remained unbroken since inception.
“This is the first executive who has no fracture. Even in every local government, our members are united and working together as one family.” Eleshin stated.
He lauded Senator Bamidele for his various empowerment initiatives across his constituency, describing them as miraculous and impactful.
“Almost every member of his constituency has benefited from him. He believes that supporting the right person will make things easy for the future,” the chairman added.
The Senate Leader concluded his remarks by calling for continued loyalty to the party’s leadership and for members to focus on the collective progress of Ekiti State.
“When we have reasons to be angry, we can be angry, but let us follow the process. Think about the party, think about the state, and always choose unity,” he advised.
