By Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti

|

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has said he would not get distracted by underhand  political schemings ahead of the 2026 governorship race in the state, describing the idea of second term as the least of his worries for now.

The Governor also said work on the 1.2 kilometres flyover to be constructed between Okeyinmi and Ijigbo roundabouts in Ado Ekiti, would commence early in the year, to help decongest the business district and give the state capital a facelift.

Oyebanji stated this at the grand finale of the 2024 Week of Prayer, organised by the  Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), in conjunction with the Ekiti State Government, held at Jibowu Hall, Government House, in Ado Ekiti, the state capital.

At the intercessional programme, prayers were offered for President Bola Tinubu for the success of his economic policies and programmes as well as for security and progress for the country. The Biodun Oyebanji administration was also rededicated to God for guidance and leading.

Addressing the congregation at the event which was a follow up to the maiden edition held on January 14, 2023,  Oyebanji said news had been filtering in that some politicians had started holding nocturnal meetings ahead of  the  2026 governorship election, saying he won’t allow this to derail his focus in the interest of Ekiti citizens.

“They said some people have started holding meetings, I am not bothered by this. For now, 2026 is the least of my worries. What I am really bothered about is leading Ekiti to prosperity, and allowing God to guide us.

“I have made a covenant that there won’t  be tolerance for corruption, dishonesty, and disobedience to orders, so, I won’t allow second term ambition  to distract me. Human beings can play politics, but God is the master politician. He knows how to take care of everything”.

In his testimony, Oyebanji relayed to the congregation that prayer and faith in God have made governance an easy task for him and not brilliance, exposure and  any other factor.

“As we were doing all these, some people said what is going to be my legacy, they advised that I should go and do infrastruture. but I insisted that if I feed the people first, infrastructure will come. Because I was obeying God, money for infrastructure was being  provided” he said

Particularly, Oyebanji  appealed to the politicians and political office holders to always exhibit sacrificial spirit, saying they should perceive leadership as service to God and humanity.

In his short Bible exhortation , the CAN Chairman in Ekiti, Reverend Emmanuel Aribasoye, charged Nigerians to always embrace justice and fair-play and run away from attitudes that can corrupt the system, for the nation to enjoy peace, unity and prosperity.

Delivering the second sermon at the event, the National Leader of Intercessor for Nigeria , Pastor Stephen Olumuyiwa, urged the Governor to work hard and redirect the state to the path of  righteousness, honesty, integrity, unity,  peace and prosperity in 2024, for Ekiti to savour more infrastructural facelift.”