By Rotimi Ojomoyela

Ado-Ekiti—Former Secretary to the Ekiti State government and All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship aspirant in the state, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has said agitations for the zoning of the ticket to Ekiti South Senatorial district cannot 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 zoning of the governorship seat as citizens of Ekiti, he said he should also be given a leeway to the same privilege, as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.

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The immediate past SSG spoke in Ado Ekiti, yesterday, while responding to the loud agitations coming from politicians of Ekiti South extraction that time has come for them to produce the 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 APC members to undertake thorough assessment of all the aspirants and ensure that they pick the best regardless of his zone.

Oyebanji said his campaign will be issue-based bearing in mind the promise 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. They are making a legitimate right. 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, this 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.”

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. 

“In terms of quality service delivery, I think I stand out. Go and check my records as a Special Assistant, Special Adviser, Commissioner and SSG, they were outstanding. I have given my best to Ekiti.” 

Oyebanji said he was not in any way terrified by direct primary being agitated for by some aspirants contrary to insinuation in some quarters.

“I don’t want to be distracted by direct primary noise. Either direct or indirect, I am at home. I am a grassroots person. I understand the terrain. It is not even within the purview of any aspirant to determine the modality of the primary, only the national can dictate that. I am always at home, because I am a homeboy and I have street appeal and it comes to me naturally,” he said.