-By Oyebisi Abayomi
Ado Ekiti
May 30th, 2021, I was at the birthday celebration of my pastor and mentor, Adetunji Aribasoye. Hon. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji was the chairman of the occassion and when he was invited to the podium, he admonished the celebrant, relaying what his mum told him many years ago.
Permit me to quote from many thoughtful words I grabbed from his speech, One of which is “in life, you will be faced with the need to choose between the good and the right thing, but always choose the right over the good”
This got me ruminating for minutes, “the good and the right thing” Many thoughts flipped my heart. Are the two words not thesame? Are the two words not positive?
This simple statement got me thinking that day filled up the whole of my reasoning as I tried industrialize the raw material that I got.
After a whole lot of separating wheats from shafts. I come to the realization that choosing between good and bad doesn’t need critical thinking, but for one to choose between a good and a right thing requires a more critical and in-depth thinking. This is really very difficult because sometimes, the right thing may not look attractive and profiting.
Oyebanji’s statement brought to my consciousness and reinforced the need for us to prioritise the right thing; It is a good thing to have plenty of money; but the right thing is that one must work hard for the money. It is also good to leave in affluence; but the right thing is that we must consciously live to make the life of everyone around us better than what it was before we met them.
Truly, we need people who believe in doing the right thing at all times. This will definitely change our world as a people. I made a follow up after I got the write answer, I went to Ikogosi Ekiti the hometown of Biodun Oyebanji, I met him sitter with the people, the town was without electricity, a particular government had intentionally cut out the people from power supply on the allegation that their party didn’t win the town.
I told Him Oyebanji of My presence at the occasion where he talked about choosing the right over the good. I asked him how he came about the thoughtful words, and he told me that his Mother, a teacher and community leader had always from childhood told all her children the very statement.
Kudos to Mrs Oyebanji for training his son to be a good leader from childhood. But that is not the real point. Biodun Oyebanji had always taken to the words of elders. When I asked him why he preferred to live a world tourist centre abandoned and neglected by an irresponsible government, he said, It is good to live in the city, but it is right to live amidst my people here for us to experience this suffering together.
They are my people and they stood by our party. We are all in this together.
Heeeeee! Nigerian Politicians! 
I was satisfied as I know the gimmicks of the Nigerian Politicians, then I decided to do a personality check on BAO. I like to match words with actions. In my various investigations, I discovered several fascinating things about Biodun Oyebanji. Join me as I quickly dive into Ekiti State creation exercise.
History has it that, Oyebanji worked assidously during the state creation exercise of Ekiti as the Secretary of the state creation committee, making famous the principle his mother taught him. He took responsibility even when we have older people who should be more concerned about the state creation exercise, obviously, he was the youngest in the team, and this was not informed by his love for politics, it is rather his love for his state and the right thing- creation of Ekiti.
And now, that little baby state birthed some 25 years ago has recorded many good, the state has recorded many successes, and can do more in the nearest future.
But at this juncture having a good Governor who is a grassroot player, and also the man of the people is the right thing, and the right man is, Oyebanji. He has the grassroot knowledge of what Ekiti politics looks like, with his network of friends across all parties, and his wealth of experience, having worked with various sectors in and out of government. Without no scintilla of doubt, he is the right man for the job.
Owing to his wealth of experience and native intelligence as one of those who worked tirelessly to make the creation of the state a reality, Oyebanji stands a better chance of being the one to lead us on after the expiration of Dr Kayode Fayemi’s tenure in office. I aver that we unanimously make the right man our right choice.
Ekiti kete! Make the right man your right choice!
BAO is the right man!
Oyebisi Abayomi writes from Ado Ekiti and can be reached via; soamabayomi@gmail.com