By HC Ade
Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious than to be able to decide … Napoleon
Ekiti State has had a peculiar yet dynamic political history since its creation in 1996, especially since the advent of our present democratic experience in 1999.
Ekiti State has experienced 11 regimes and 8 different governors since the return to democracy in 1999, indicating the highest turnover rate compared to other states.
Politically and along the ideological line of progressive and conservative, the state has been ruled by both progressive and conservative parties, with PDP ruling for 11 years and APC for 13 years.
From the administration of forner governor Otunba Niyi Adebayo between 1999-2003 as the first democratically elected governor and served under the Alliance for Democracy (AD) party, and focused primarily on establishing the state’s administrative framework, foundational infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
Then comes the unexpected interruption of the progressive progression of the young state with the emergence of Governor Ayo Fayose between the years 2003 and 2006 when he left abruptly without completing his four years.
Governor Ayo Fayose was elected under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), known for deceitful populist stomachs above physical infrastructure policies. His tenure was cut short due to impeachment.
In the midst of the political imbroglio emanating from the exit of Fayose comes Tunji Odeyemi in 2009. He reigned briefly as governor after Olusegun Oni’s election was nullified.
Then Chief Olusegun Oni, who was elected between 2007-2009 and 2009-2010.
Governor Kayode Fayemi however, regained his mandate and governed the State between 2010 to 2014 for his first term and between 2018 to 2022 for his mandatory sec0 d term thereby becoming the first executive governor to served two non-consecutive terms with specific administrative focus on infrastructure, education, and healthcare. He was a key figure in Ekiti politics and a human rights activist. His second term was among other things focused on restoring our much eroded values under his immediate predecessor, Governor Fayose.
In between Governor Fayemi two terms was the return of forner governor Ayo Fayose between 2014 and 2018. This period was characterised with series of events unheard of in the history of governancr and development in the State From daily abuse of the then president Mohammud Buhari to daily shaming and disgracing the state civil service, our traditional rulers and the entire state along with shout of no money for meaningful development.
Change they say permanent and inevitable in life. Then comes the doggedness of the progressive political class in the State guided by the first executive governor, Otunba Niyi Adebayo and implemented by the former Governor Fayemi in support of a whole lot like Senator (Dr.) Opeyemi Bamidele in producing the incumbent
Governor Biodun Oyebanji in 2022.
The emergence of Governor Abiodun Oyebanji in 2022 and the consequent smooth transition has further proved that development doesn’t just take place anywhere. It requires vision, political stability, and ambience of security.
While the State is gasping for development commensurate with the abundant natural and human resources compared to other States within the South West region and the nation at large, our high rate of leadership turnover leading to policy somersault and progressional disconnect has been a critical factor in our developmental stride. Ekiti State, no doubt, desperately needs development, and this sustainable transformational/transitional development can only come with political stability, which makes continuity and consistent leadership process inevitable.
Though, the present administration of Governor Abiodun Oyebanji has not publicly made his intention to run for the second term in the office as permitted by the law, but with the level of his acceptability, delivery and series of endorsements from every nooks and crannies of the State and beyond including Ekiti sons and daughters in diaspora, the person of Governor Oyebanji and the leadership of the progressive party as matter of urgency and expidient should waste no time in accepting this to compliment the vision of progressive leadership in the State and set a good ground for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu come 2027.
Without losing focus on governance, Governor Oyebanji still needs to give the leadership of the party, the Civil Society Organisations, and the masses of the State of his willingness to continue his developmental stride beyond 2026.
So far, while there are still rooms for improvement, the administration has done massively well in almost all the critical areas of good governance benchmark like security, agriculture and food security, infrastructure, human capital development, giving us good image, etc that must be consolidated. In ensuring this, the progressive camp of the State have audacious work to do in uniting the camp, institutionalising the leadership process etc all towards ensuring political stability towards massive sustainable and transformational/transitional economic growth of the State for the sake of the coming generations. Ekiti State is a work in progress. The progress can only be guaranteed under a stable political atmosphere. Governor Oyebanji has been tested and so far can be trusted. Their is always a big price to pay for changing a winning team.
To all our political leaders in Ekiti from all the political divide, nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious than to be able to decide. This is a clarion call for the soul and the development of the state we so much love. It requires sacrifices, humbleness, and putting Ekiti first before personal interest.
With the above, I remain yet,
HC Ade
I am a progressive man, not a political jobber.