A prominent member of the People’s Democratic Party in Ekiti State, Lere Olayinka, has voiced his concerns about the tangible benefits resulting from Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s recent trip to the United States.
Olayinka emphasized that the people of Ekiti State are primarily interested in the visible outcomes of the governor’s international visit rather than engaging in trivial criticisms.
Addressing the press in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday, Olayinka dismissed speculation and gossip circulated by a well-known online platform notorious for defaming public officials.
He clarified that he was not interested in discussing the governor’s return date or the costs associated with the trip, labeling such discussions as “beer parlour gossip.”
“As a member of opposition party, I cannot bring myself to that childish level of criticising a governor for traveling abroad for one or two weeks. PDP governors also travel abroad and they are not probably spending their personal money on trips that are official,” Olayinka stated. He further pointed out that the online platform in question has a history of spreading falsehoods about Ekiti State’s governors, including Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Ayo Fayose, Segun Oni, and Kayode Fayemi.
Olayinka stressed that his primary concern is the potential benefits that the governor’s trip could bring to the state. “Therefore, as for me, the question I will be asking as per the Governor’s first ‘official trip’ abroad is about what he has brought to the State, now that he has returned,” he said.
He expressed a desire to hear from the governor about the investments or advantages secured during the visit and to ensure that any promises made are fulfilled.
“I am not interested in all these beer parlour talks of the Governor spending more time than necessary or that $500,000 was spent on a trip that is yet to be concluded,” Olayinka added, underscoring his focus on substantive outcomes rather than unverified rumors.