Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has cautioned his supporters and political associates against excessive praise-singing and the use of grandiose political appellations, insisting that he should be addressed simply as “Mr Governor”.
Oyebanji gave the warning on Friday evening during the October edition of the monthly Evening of Praise and Worship programme held at Lady Jibowu Hall, Government House, Ado-Ekiti.
The governor said the era of political campaigns and elections had ended, stressing that the state had entered a new phase of governance focused on service delivery and fulfilling promises made to the people.
He specifically rejected appellations such as “Jinx Breaker”, “Owi Bee, Se Bee”, “History Maker” and “Back to Back”, warning against attributing to political leaders qualities reserved for God.
“I think we have to put an end to all these appellations. Election is over, and from today, just address me as Mr Governor. I don’t want to hear all these appellations such as ‘Jinx Breaker’, ‘History Maker’ and all the rest,” he said.
Oyebanji explained that he had tolerated such descriptions during the electioneering period but would no longer encourage them following his inauguration for a second term.“I permitted them because it was an election season.
Election is over now, a new government has been sworn in, and we are in the era of governance. Politics is over. I don’t want anybody to equate me with God or give me an appellation that is an attribute of God,” the governor added.
He attributed the relative peace, stability and development recorded in Ekiti State, particularly over the past four years, to the grace and faithfulness of God.
The governor expressed confidence that God would continue to guide and sustain the state, urging residents to remain steadfast in their faith and trust in Him for greater achievements.
Oyebanji described the theme of the October edition of the praise and worship programme as appropriate, being the first since the inauguration of his second-term administration.
“I love the theme of this month’s edition because this is the first Evening of Praise and Worship since this new administration was inaugurated, and the theme is apt.
We are just here to praise God, and I know that as we praise God on behalf of Ekiti State, He will speak to us and also step into our situation,” he said.
Dignitaries at the event included Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye; Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Habibat Adubiaro; Head of Service, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi; and Chief of Staff, Oyeniyi Adebayo.
Others were the President of the Baptist Convention in Ekiti State and Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the state, Rev. Emmanuel Aribasoye, among other government officials and religious leaders.
