Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, on Friday, took the oath of office for a second term, breaking the state’s long-standing succession jinx where no governor had secured re-election since 1999.
Oyebanji and his deputy, Chief Monisade Afuye, took the oaths of office at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
Chief Judge of Ekiti State Justice Lekan Ogunmoye administered the oaths before a crowd of political leaders, traditional rulers and supporters.
Afuye was sworn in at 1:28 p.m., followed by Mr. Oyebanji at 1:40 p.m.
The Governor then signed documents formalizing his second four-year term.
His inauguration breaks a long-running pattern in Ekiti politics, where governors have historically struggled to secure a second consecutive term.
Oyebanji’s re-election makes him the first incumbent to overcome that barrier.
The ceremony drew senior figures from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
President Bola Tinubu was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau and Mines and Steel Development Minister Dele Alake also attended.
Several governors were present, including Lagos State’s Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who chairs the Progressive Governors Forum; Imo State’s Hope Uzodinma; Ogun State’s Dapo Abiodun, chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum; and Kwara State’s AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
Former Ekiti governors Ayodele Fayose, Segun Oni and Kayode Fayemi attended, along with former APC National Chairman Bisi Akande, former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba, Senator Adam Oshiomhole and Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, was also among the dignitaries that graced the swearing-in.
