By Editor
The fortunes of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC yesterday swell as it received to its fold one of the ‘biggest fish’ in Ekiti politics-Erelu Kemi Elebute-Halle
The wave making engineer-turned politician made her first inroad into Ekiti politics as the only woman candidate under the platform of African Democratic Patty ADP where she created a major upset in the 2022 Ekiti governorship election.
The carnival-like event which was held under a favourable weather at the main bowl of the Ekiti pavilion, Fajuyi Ado Ekiti was no less a national event as the National Chairman of the party, Umar Ganduje led other national officers of the party to grace the occasion.
He was ably represented by Ambassador Tasiu Abdulraham, Chairman of Decampees.
It was a harvest of gains for the APC as over 7000 members joined the party from the 16 Local Governments in the state including decampees from the ADP.
In his welcome address, the APC Acting Chairman Barrister Sola Elesin described Erelu Elebute-Halle’s official declaration to join APC as a new dispensation in Ekiti politics as the party stands to gain from her immense good will and unquestionable forthrightness as a woman politician.
“Erelu joining APC Party in Ekiti today is not by accident. And even before this time her actions proves that she is a product of the party, it is therefore not a surprise that she has now decided to come home”
Barrister Elesin said the ideas of Eng. Elebute Halle is synonymous to that of the personality of the Governor of Ekiti state and such warranted that a special personality like Elebute Halle is welcomed into the fold.
Speaking in similar vein, former APC State Chairman and SAPOL to Governor Biodun Oyebanji, High Chief Olajide Awe who described Elebute Halle’s defection to the ruling party as ‘home coming’ noted that her decision was an indication that Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji’s acceptance is not negotiable.
His words; ”I welcome our sister Elebute Halle back home, i agree she has been one of us right from the outset and we are here to welcome her back home. I also assure her and her supporters of our continuous support for her aspiration”
Speaking extempore, Elebute-Halle, flanked by her husband, explained that her journey to join the ruling party started last December but the official declaration was postponed twice due to certain exigencies.
She however paid glowing tributes to notable APC leaders in Ekiti who facilitated her decision to dump her former party including the Governor, leaders in Ekiti North led by Chief S,A Abejide, High Chief Jide Awe, the Deputy Governor, Chief Mrs Monisola Afuye, the First Lady amongst others.
She used the occasion to commend the ongoing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s massive investment in agriculture which is being domesticated in Ekiti by the Oyebanji’s led administration.
Elebute, who clarified that the broom, which is APC logo should not be seen as a sweeping tool alone, but rather as a symbol of unity indicating that the ruling party should remain a united body.
One of the highlights of the epochal event was the distribution of rice palliatives worth over N10m to the people who graced the occasion.
The official handling over the APC logo to the new member was led by the State Acting Chairman of the party Barrister Elesin ably supported by Ambassador Abdulraham, the Deputy Governor, High Chief Jide Awe, APC State PRO, Barrister Segun Dipe, Honorable Taiwo Olatunbosun, Baba Abejide, amongst other notable party leaders.
Speaking to newsmen after the official declaration for the APC, Erelu Kemi Elebute- Halle said she was motivated by the good works of Governor Abidoun Abayomi Oyebanji, who continues to identify with her even after the governorship election in the state.
Her words; “I feel very elated to join the folds of the progressives today. I share the same vision and mission with his Excellency and that is why when consultations were held within our fold my supporters, members of my former party ADP and even some prominent figures in the APC already welcome me into the party before this official declaration.”
Erelu Elebute Halle maintained that her choice to serve the people of the state prompted her to come into the progressives so as to be able to serve the people better.
She specially thanked her husband, Chief Halle, the Deputy Governor Chief Mrs Monisade Afuye, Honorable Taiwo Olatunbosun, Senator Micheal Opeyemi Bamidele who all thonged the pavilion to welcome her into the party.
Erelu Elebute Halle said while she will continue to carry on her humanitarian services, she will also not relent in her efforts to further carry the banner of BAO and the APC very high everywhere she goes.
