Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji while being sworned in.
The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, was on Friday sworn in for a second term, becoming the first governor in the state’s history to succeed himself and govern for two consecutive terms.
Oyebanji was inaugurated alongside his deputy, Chief Monisade Afuye, at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
The swearing-in ceremony was performed by the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye.
Oyebanji took the oaths of office and allegiance at 1:40 pm before a mammoth crowd of dignitaries, political leaders, traditional rulers and supporters who thronged the venue to witness the historic occasion.
He subsequently signed the necessary documents formalising his inauguration as governor for another four-year term.
His deputy, Afuye, had earlier taken the oaths of office and allegiance at 1:28 pm before signing the relevant documents.
Oyebanji’s re-election and inauguration marked a historic milestone in Ekiti’s political history, as he broke the state’s succession jinx, with previous administrations unable to secure a consecutive term for their occupants.
The ceremony attracted prominent political leaders, including President Bola Tinubu, who was represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; and Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dele Alake
Governors and representatives of state governments also attended the event, alongside former Ekiti State governors, Ayodele Fayose, Segun Oni, Kayode Fayemi, leaders of the All Progressives Congress, traditional rulers and other dignitaries.
Among governors present were Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma; Governor Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, and Kwara State Governor, Abulrazaq Abdulrahman, as well as representatives of other state governments.
Also in attendance were the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, former APC National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, and former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba, Adam Oshiomhole, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele.
