By Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti
The former Governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party, (ADP) in the 2022 Ekiti gubernatorial election, Erelu Kemi Elebute Halle has revealed some of the personalities that really influenced her decision in joining the ruling party, All Progressives Congress, (APC)
Elebute-Halle stated that apart from the inclusiveness policy of Governor Abayomi Oyebanji the likes of Senator Adaramodu, Hon. Femi Bamisile and her late Dad made influenced her to join the train of APC.
This trained Engineer turned politician who made this disclosure during an interview at her residence in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital equally revealed some of the reasons why she joined politics.
Erelu Elebute-Halle revealed that her decision to join the political game was influenced by her humanitarian mind to bring succour to those in need by extending the hands of love to the widows, orphans and the less privileged in the society.
She maintained that she was not in politics for just the sake of it but rather she sees politics as conduit pipe to reach a very large percent of the people to bring the goodies of governance to their doorsteps.
Mrs. Halle who was given red carpet reception by the Party’s leadership both at the state and National level when she recently switched camp to the All Progressives Congress from the ADP said her decision to join the ruling party was not unconnected to the persistence of notable party leaders who continued to woo her despite her refusal.
“After the elections which Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji was declared the winner, His Excellency BAO took it upon himself to personally visit me in my Abuja residence where he spoke to my husband to convince me to join him and his party.
“Even though before the Governor came to me some notable leaders of the party like High Chief Jide Awe, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Honorable Femi Bamisile aka BAFEM, Erelu Bisi Fayemi and a host lot of other personalities were talking to me to join the party”
Mrs Halle said the decision took her a very long time years even with persuasive talks from various leaders across the country but she was finally swayed off her feet by the humility, openness and accountability of the governor.
“I remembered my father told me after the elections don’t take that man(BAO) to court o you know it was difficult at first and when i remember the drama that happened when he hugged me after signing the peace pact i knew he was an humble man”
According to her the governor is open to criticism either negative or positive and he has used that to garner support to himself even across all opposition board.
She is of the opinion that Oyebanji is God sent to Ekiti at this crucial time and that it takes a man like Oyebanji to bring together leaders across boards as one in Ekiti politics she concluded.