The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the June 18 governorship election in Ekiti State, Hon. Bisi Kolawole, has declared his support for the Governor-Elect, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji.
Speaking on Thursday when he received Oyebanji at his Ado-Ekiti home, Kolawole said the fact he contested against Oyebanji in the election notwithstanding, he had no reason to become an enemy of the actual winner.
“Until June 18, we were candidates of two different parties but one of us, another respected Ekiti man won the election. In the interest of the state and our people, we must all rally round him, offer necessary advice and move Ekiti forward.
Kolawole said he was delighted at the visit and promised to give the Governor-elect all the necessary support in his administration.
“It is my pleasure having you here. I am happy that you are being magnanimous in victory. It is only God that appoints a king and gives victory to whom He wishes.
“Being from different political parties should not disturb us from working together. This is all about Ekiti and Ekiti is bigger than any political party”
The Governor-elect, who admitted that he had long-time relationship with Otunba Kolawole, prior to the election, said the visitation was to reciprocate the gesture of the congratulatory message sent to him by the PDP governorship candidate and also to invite him to his inauguration come October 16.
“Otunba Bisi Kolawole is one person I have long time relationship with among those I contested with on June 18. However, my coming here is to reciprocate the gesture of congratulating me after I was announced winner, which shows good sportsmanship. Also, I want to use this visit to formally invite my good brother and a patriotic Ekitiman to my inauguration, come October 16”
Speaking further, Oyebanji described the PDP Guber candidate as a brother and matured politician that he had great respect for.
Oyebanji added that he visited Kolawole in order to pass a message to Ekiti people that politics should not be played with bitterness. “We need to let our people know that party differences shouldn’t translate to enmity”
He assured the PDP governorship candidate that he would be carried along in his administration’s effort to move the state forward.
