Barely 24 hours to the governorship poll, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has withdrawn support for its governorship candidate, Peter Obafemi, and adopted Governor Biodun Oyebanji.
Announcing the decision at a press conference in Ado Ekiti yesterday, the SDP State Chairman, Ayodele Bamikole, said the endorsement followed consultations with party leaders, stakeholders and members across the 16 local government areas of the state.
Bamikole explained that the party assessed the candidates in the election and concluded that the governor had demonstrated quality leadership qualities and unalloyed commitment to the development of the state.
He said: “On behalf of all members of the Social Democratic Party in Ekiti State, I formally and enthusiastically endorse His Excellency, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, and his deputy, Mrs Monisade Afuye, in their bid for re-election in Saturday’s governorship election. This decision was not taken lightly. It followed broad consultations and a thorough evaluation of the political landscape as well as the performance of the various candidates seeking the mandate of the people.”
The SDP chairman said the party’s decision was further influenced by what he described as the inactivity of its candidate, whom he said failed to effectively engage party members or mount a visible campaign after emerging as the party’s flag bearer through a substitution process.
He noted that the party could not in good conscience continue to support a candidate who had failed to demonstrate the commitment and capacity required for such an important electoral contest.
Bamikole stated that Oyebanji’s stellar record in office convinced the party that continuity would serve the best interests of Ekiti people.
Also, the candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Victor Adetunji, has withdrawn from the race and declared support for Oyebanji.
Adetunji announced his decision in a statement yesterday, saying the move was borne out of the need to place the interest and development of Ekiti above partisan considerations.
The ZLP standard-bearer said his withdrawal followed extensive consultations with party leaders, political associates and supporters across the state’s 16 local government areas.
Adetunji explained that the decision was taken after careful assessment of the political situation in the state and the supersonic performance of the Oyebanji-led administration.
Adetunji noted that Oyebanji had demonstrated commitment to the development of the state through policies and programmes aimed at improving infrastructure, healthcare delivery, education and the welfare of residents.
He said that the progress already recorded by the Governor Oyebanji-led APC administration should be consolidated through continuity in governance.
He urged members of the Zenith Labour Party and his supporters across the state to throw their weight behind the governor and vote massively for him in Saturday’s election.
“I now call on all Zenith Labour Party supporters across the state to unite and vote for Governor Biodun Oyebanji. Let us continue to support his efforts to transform Ekiti into a land of pride for all of us,” he stated.
He added that politics should be driven by the collective aspirations of the people rather than personal ambition, stressing that his decision was informed by his desire to see Ekiti continue on the path of peace and sustainable development.