Ekiti begins her journey into a new phase of democratic dispensation with the emergence of Biodun Oyebanji as Governor-elect in a “peaceful and seamless election”.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Biodun Oyebanji of APC the winner of the June 18 governorship election in the State.
The former Chief of Staff polled a total of 187, 057 votes to defeat his closest rival, Segun Oni of Social Democratic Party (SDP) who bagged 82, 211 votes to emerge 2nd while Bisi Kolawole of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), came a distant third with 67, 457 votes.
Biodun Oyebanji, who hails from Ikogosi-Ekiti, Ekiti, was born on December 21, 1967.
The “Homeboy” as he is fondly called by admirers, Oyebanji attended the Baptist primary school, Ikogosi-Ekiti, after which he proceeded to the Awo Community High school and was later transferred to CAC Grammar school, Efon-Alaaye, Ekiti in 1979.
He was also a student of the Federal School of Art and Science, Ondo State, and the District Commercial Secondary School, Aramoko-Ekiti, and was there between 1983 and 1985.
Upon the completion of his secondary school education, he proceeded to bag a degree in Political Science from the Ondo State University–now Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti (EKSU) in 1989.
The 54-year-old also holds a Master’s Degree (MSc.) in Political Science (International Relations & Strategic Studies) From the University of Ibadan.
After his tertiary education, Oyebanji served as the Manager, Treasury, and Financial Service at the now-defunct Omega Bank Plc; now known as Heritage Bank until May 1999.
The lecturer served as the Special Assistant (Parliament Affairs) to the Governor of Ekiti (8th June 1999-2000); Special Adviser (Parliament Affairs) to the Governor of Ekiti (1st August 2000 – September 2001).
He was the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Ekiti from September 2001 to May 29, 2003 (Otunba Niyi Adebayo), and was the Chairman, Governing Board, Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development from June 2009 to December 2010.
Until his decision to run as Governor of Ekiti, Biodun Oyebanji was the Secretary, Ekiti State Government under incumbent Governor Kayode Fayemi.
Oyebanji is happily married to Prof (Mrs) Oyebanji, an associate professor at the University of Ibadan and also a princess from Ado-Ekiti.