The swearing-in of the Governor-Elect of Ekiti State, Mr Biodum Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO) is fast-approaching, precisely on the 16th of October, 2022.
After his inauguration, the first set of appointments to be announced by the new Governor will be Secretary to the State Government (SSG), the Chief of Staff and the Chief Press Secretary (CPS).
The two political groups in Ado-Ekiti are seriously lobbying for the slots. The outgoing Deputy Governor, Bisi Egbeyemi is lobbying for Architect Temitope Ogunleye to be appointed as the next SSG, while a former Deputy Governor, Professor Modupe Adelabu, is fronting for Alhaji Jinadu. From reliable sources, both camps have taken their choice to the Governor-Elect, Bidoun Oyebanji for approval.
With the look of things, JINADU CAMP may lose out, because their leader, Professor Adelabu was instrumental in getting the House of Representatives and House of Assembly tickets for the duo of Sola Fatoba and Ayo Adegbite respectively. As a result of this, majority of politicians in Ado-Ekiti believe that Professor Adelabu is being greedy and too self-centered to be scheming for the SSG slot for her camp. Some said she is desperately fixing her associates in positions, so that they will help her to complete her event centre in front of Irewolede Estate, along Ilawe road in Ado-Ekiti.
On the other hand, Egbeyemi’s camp wants to use his cordial relationship with the Governor-Elect and his political strength in Ado-Ekiti to install Mr. Temitope Ogunleye, as the incoming SSG. But his stingy nature and seeming non-performance as the current Deputy Governor, makes Ado-Ekiti politicians to dislike him. Some have even argued that this can affect election of his daughter into the Ekiti State House of Assembly in 2023 elections. It was also being said that he forced his daughter on other aspirants, as there was no primary election. Many said he used veto power to get the House of Assembly ticket for his daughter, Mrs Bolaji Olagbaju-Egbeyemi.
However, Alhaji Sanni may get the SSG slot, because of his activities among the Muslim community and his versatile experience as a retired civil servant. He’s a grassroots politician and well respected community leader at Iworoko-Ekiti in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local government Area of the State.
There will be surprises in the political appointments from the 16th of October. The Governor-Elect, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji is not a politically naive leader. He knows everyone and understands what to do, as nobody can push him around anyhow.
