By Michael Ogungbemi
The glorious revolution of 1688 enabled John Locke to aptly affirm that: “The Power of the crown is built upon the consent of its subjects”. The revolutionist tended to give the mental climate of his time a sort of conclusiveness that a people can easily surrender their sovereignty to a leader when he worked assiduously to earn their respect, honour, dignity and trust.
The Locke’s political philosophy can be adapted to the situation in Ekiti State today under Governor Biodun Oyebanji. The electrifying popularity of the governor was not by happenstance. It was well earned because the governor has worked for it and deserves such honour. It was a product of trust.
Little wonder, he was being endorsed for second term by virtually all the strata of Ekiti, including heavyweight politicians like Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Dr Kayode Fayemi, Ayo Fayose, Segun Oni and the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, barely two years into his administration.
Before his ascension to the coveted governorship seat, Oyebanji was sparsely noticed. He didn’t enjoy any organic or cult-like followership. This was not because he hasn’t achieved a lot in his quiet, but towering services to the state as a Special Assistant, Special Adviser, Chief of Staff, two time Commissioner and Secretary to the State Government. He was not unnecessarily boisterous or attracted any media razzmatazz to himself to gain attention. He believed silence is golden and honourable, most times.
Oyebanji’s profile before becoming the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in 2022 governorship election was rocky and solid. He had garnered enough administrative and political experiences that distinguished him from other contenders. But he decided to maintain a quiet and low profile as a politician and administrator. However, his quietness doesn’t in any way diminish, nor undermine his accomplishments as a public servant.
DELIVERY:
Except one is blind to reality, or allows politics to goad him into taking rash action, no one can accuse Governor Oyebanji of poor performance rating in Ekiti State. Even his avid critics never alleged him of such. The elite, artisans, civil servants, and other strategic thinkers have all appraised him and gave him a clean bill in this regard. He campaigned on the mantra of shared prosperity and this he has delivered upon zealously and conscientiously. His six-point policy thrust, which was the guiding compass was being jealously prosecuted. When it comes to governance, the security and civil service have been touched and rejuvenated. We now have a secured state and civil service that are really the engine room of development. Governor Oyebanji implemented one of the best N70,000 minimum wage scale to workers. Skeptics can crosscheck this unassailable fact. Over 25,000 of our youths have been employed by both public and private sectors. The Agriculture and Rural Development is being revved up through commercial cluster farming at six points across the three senatorial districts, with 1800 youths as drivers. Several intra and inter as well as metropolitan roads have been tarred. A flyover in Ado Ekiti is nearing completion to add aesthetic value to Ado Ekiti and decongest business district. Our Arts and culture have gained traction and recognition across Nigeria and Africa. The Ikogosi resort centre corridor is now gaining recognition globally. The health facilities are being revamped and given a facelift to respond to emergency and pressing situations. These are areas where Governor Oyebanji etches his name in gold as a goal-getter and leader with high focus to deliver to the people within available resources.
ENDORSEMENT:
On July 28, 2025, all the creme-dela-creme in Ekiti politics converged on the popular Ekitiparapo Pavilion to jointly endorse this man of destiny for second term. This second term was unique in so many ways. It roundly confirmed that Governor Oyebanji was widely loved by his people. It substantiated the fact that the people still have the nudge and spirit to appreciate good leaders. It buttressed the pundits’ prognostication that the governor’s second term election is going to be a referendum, on the strength of his invincible bond with the grassroots. The political acronym “BAO” has resonated with the people because he was governing on popular will, not by jackboot. It won’t be an exaggeration to state that this was the first time a governor would be this endorsed by all the groups and across party lines. This has sent a signal that doing good in service is highly profitable, than for a leader to be an emperor. It is good to forget yourself for others, so that others won’t forget you. This was the aphorism adopted by Governor Oyebanji and it is indeed paying off.
EXPEDIENCY OF CONSOLIDATION:
The proponents of continuity of governance for Governor Oyebanji were really politically savvy. They knew the advantages inherent in Ekiti allowing continuity to be deeply rooted like in Lagos. The Lagos State has become a microcosm of development on the premise of political stability. When Governor Kayode Fayemi was preaching continuity in 2022, some people thought he was being selfish and just trying to protect his political relevance. But it was far beyond that in the real sense of it. Looking at the spate of development in Ekiti today, the skeptics are gradually being convinced that Governor Oyebanji allowed to continue where Fayemi stopped was a blessing, rather than a curse. Let me also say this, the triumvirate of Niyi Adebayo, Kayode Fayemi and Ayodele Fayose, had governed this state before. They perfectly understand the matrix of politics and power. They knew that not being given a second term back-to-back dented a great blow on Ekiti’s development facet. Those who are familiar with Ekiti’s politics could attest to this. They are taking this impending political duel upon themselves knowing full well that truncating the current pace of development by bringing another Governor from the same or another party may throw a spanner in the wheel of progress. The era when Ekiti was a perfect example of political turmoil and upheaval has been erased. The time when the state exemplified abandoned projects are gradually fizzling out. The time when a governor and his predecessor don’t see eye-to-eye has been wiped out. In fact, we need to give kudos to Governor Oyebanji for raising the bar of governance and politics in our dear state. Again, under this concept, he deserves this second term.
NEW FACE OF POLITICAL ORDER
A rabid follower of Ekiti political events of 2003, 2007-2010, 2014 and 2018, would decipher that Governor Oyebanji deserves serious accolades. During those sordid times, many were killed and maimed just for quest political powers. I don’t want to mention names so that I won’t end up exhuming old and buried bodies. Since 2022, Ekiti has witnessed tremendous peace and brotherhood across parties. The days when the state was being mocked on national news has faded. We have now become a brand in honour, integrity and morality, courtesy of our dear Governor Oyebanji. Despite political differences, leaders and members of ruling and opposition parties now fraternise, unlike days when they chased themselves around with guns and cudgels. Loyalty to Ekiti development and leadership have taken the centre stage. We all know that political rivalry often breeds instability and uprising, thereby supplanting peace with crisis. We are all happy that Ekiti of today is one that radiates in peace and love.
ELEVATION OF HOMEGROWN POLITICS
Before now, the fear within the polity had been that the crave for homegrown leadership might be difficult to achieve owing to erroneous impression that quality might be sacrificed on the altar of competence. But with Governor Oyebanji’s illustrious performance, politicians of Ekiti stock have got an elevation that they can deliver if given the opportunity. Governor Oyebanji has proved that homegrown politicians are reliable and have the intellect and gravitas to lead any sophisticated society. In actual fact, this impression is fact gaining mileage in the minds of the people. This is also another high point scored by this governor that put him on the edge above other contenders for the 2026 poll.
CONCLUSION:
Without equivocation, I submit wholeheartedly that judging from the few points adumbrated above, any rational individual should be convinced beyond reasonable doubt that Governor Oyebanji deserves second term. Time has come for the few who are still sulking and promoting acrimony to rally round him for his second term to be actualised. This is not for his own sake, he has been made already, but for the sake of all of us who pride ourselves as Ekiti citizens.
*Amb, Prince Michael Ogungbemi, the Chairman of Ajoni LCDA, wrote from Iyemero Ekiti*