Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji // , (born 21 December 1967) is a Nigerian politician who has served as the governor of Ekiti State since 2022. He is a former Secretary to the Ekiti State Government and a former Chief of Staff to the Governor of Ekiti State. He was elected governor during the 2022 Ekiti State gubernatorial election, having defeated Olusegun Oni of the Social Democratic Party and Bisi Kolawole of the Peoples Democratic Party.[1][2][3][4]
Biodun Oyebanji | |
|---|---|
| Governor of Ekiti State | |
| Assumed office 16 October 2022 | |
| Deputy | Monisade Afuye |
| Preceded by | Kayode Fayemi |
| Secretary to the Ekiti State Government | |
| In office 18 October 2018 – 7 December 2021 | |
| Governor | Kayode Fayemi |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji 21 December 1967 Ikogosi, Western State (now in Ekiti State), Nigeria |
| Political party | All Progressives Congress |
| Spouse | Olayemi Oyebanji |
| Education | Masters in International Relations & Strategic Studies |
| Alma mater | University of Ibadan Ekiti State University |
Education
editOyebanji attended Awo Community High School before transferring to C.A.C Grammar School in Efon-Alaaye, Ekiti State, and then the Federal School of Art and Science in Ondo State and the District Commercial Secondary School in Aramoko, Ekiti State (1979 to 1983).[2]
In 1989, Oyebanji obtained a Bachelor of Science (BSc.) degree in Political Science from the Ondo State University (now Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti), and proceeded to the University of Ibadan, Oyo State in 1992 where he bagged his masters' Degree (M.Sc) in Political Science.
Career
editOyebanji has at various points served in public service through appointments or as a member of committees.
In 1994, Oyebanji was appointed Secretary of the committee set up for the creation of Ekiti State, headed by Baba Deji Falegan.[5] He was also the Secretary of the Ekiti State Development Fund.
When Nigeria reverted to democracy in 1999, at 32 years old, he was named one of the top advisers to Otunba Niyi Adebayo, the state's first democratically elected governor. Oyebanji ascended through the ranks to become the state governor's Chief of Staff in 2003.
In 2009, he was appointed chairman of the governing board, Citizenship and Leadership Training centre under the federal ministry of youth and sports development (June 2009 – December 2010).
In 2010, Oyebanji was appointed the commissioner for integration and inter-governmental affairs and later Ekiti’s office of transformation strategy and delivery (OTSD) a year later by the administration of Kayode Fayemi.[6]
In 2018, Oyebanji was appointed secretary to the state government (SSG) by Kayode Fayemi, after being reelected for a second term as Governor of Ekiti State.
Politics
editIn 2021, Oyebanji resigned his position as the Secretary to the State Government to pursue his governorship aspirations.[7]
On 8 December 2021, Oyebanji declared his intention to contest the Ekiti State Gubernatorial Election in 2022
There were speculations of Oyebanji being the favourite of Fayemi, resulting in inferences of an imposition on the State which led to other aspirants withdrawing from the governorship primaries polls alleging that the "election committee was made up of loyalists of Fayemi".[8][9]
The grievances of the other aspirants were not addressed by the party hierarchy hence, the primary was held, and Oyebanji polled 101,703 votes, unopposed to emerge as the All Progressives Congress governorship flag bearer in the 2022 Ekiti State gubernatorial election.
On 18 June 2022, Oyebanji was elected governor on the APC platform with a 30% margin over second-place finisher and former Governor Olusegun Oni of the Social Democratic Party. He was officially sworn in as governor of Ekiti State on 16 October 2022.[10][11][12][13][14]
Personal life
editOyebanji is currently married to Prof. (Mrs) Oyebanji, who is an associate professor at the University of Ibadan and also a princess of Ado Ekiti.[6][15]
References
edit- ^ Lawal, Sodiq (19 June 2022). "Breaking: INEC Declares APC's Oyebanji Winner Of Ekiti Governorship Election (See Results)". The Nation Reporters. Archived from the original on 9 June 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
- ^ a b Lawal, Nurudeen (18 June 2022). "Abiodun Oyebanji: Important Facts about Ekiti APC Governorship Candidate Who Wants to Succeed Fayemi". Legit.ng. Nigeria. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
- ^ Banjo, Noah (19 June 2022). "Breaking: INEC declares Oyebanji winner of Ekiti governorship election". The Punch. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
- ^ "Ekiti election result: Biodun Oyebanji win Ekiti state governorship poll". BBC News Pidgin. 19 June 2022. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
- ^ "Biodun Oyebanji: garlands for true Ekiti homeboy at 54". The Nation. 21 December 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
- ^ a b "15 things to know about Ekiti Governor-elect Oyebanji". The Nation. 19 June 2022. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
- ^ Amodu, Taiwo (8 December 2021). "Ekiti 2022: Oyebanji joins race, says Fayemi has no anointed choice". Nigerian Tribune. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ Shehu, Idris (20 June 2022). "Profile: Biodun Oyebanji, the long-serving public officer who'll be next Ekiti governor". TheCable. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
- ^ Shibayan, Dyepkazah (27 January 2022). "Seven governorship aspirants withdraw from APC primary election in Ekiti". TheCable. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
- ^ "Five Things to Know About Biodun Oyebanji, Ekiti Governor-Elect". Daily Trust. 19 June 2022. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
- ^ "INEC declares APC's yebanji as winner of Ekiti governorship election". The Guardian. 19 June 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
- ^ "INEC declares APC's Oyebanji winner of Ekiti governorship election". Daily Trust. 19 June 2022. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
- ^ Akinboyo, Temidayo (19 June 2022). "#Ekitidecides2022: Meet Abiodun Oyebanji, Ekiti governor-elect". Premium Times. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
- ^ "How APC's Biodun Oyebanji won Ekiti Governorship election". Nairametrics. 19 June 2022. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
- ^ Ayeni, Tolulope (29 October 2024). "Biodun Oyebanji (BAO) biography: Ekiti Governor Elect Profile". KikioTolu News. Retrieved 29 October 2024.