Between 1996 that Ekiti was created and now, the State has produced four democratically elected Governors before Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji ascended the governorship seat in 2022.
They are Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, Chief Ayodele Fayose, Engr Segun Oni and Dr Kayode Fayemi.
As at today, all these past Governors are older than Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji in age and having served before him, particularly those who had chances of two terms, it is a clear fact that they are more experienced as far as governing a state is concern.
Albert Einstein once said “When you stop learning you start dying”. Learning is the process of acquiring new understanding, knowledge, behaviors, skills, values, attitudes, and preferences in which governance is also not an exception.
Having been part of the government of some of these past Governors, one would have expected Governor Oyebanji to have learnt key operational pattern of these people and begin to put them into practice but reverse is the case.
Each time I take a critical look at the behavior of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, I wonder if truly he served under some administrations in Ekiti State.
It is not as if Oyebanji didn’t learn at all, but one major thing that he failed to learn is “POLITICS”.
In youruba or Ekiti dialect, it is called OSELU. As a matter of fact, Ayodele Fayose is still adjudged as the King of “POLITICS” In Ekiti.
Don’t get it twisted, the politics I am talking about here is not the politics you were taught in school, it’s a language that only legends can understand.
This politics is put into consideration in whatever is done by those that play it and their supporters.
It is simply the ability to outsmart your own people who gave you their mandate, it is simply the ability to impeach a speaker of an Assembly with faceless and non existing members, it is the ability to mobilize thousands of people to commission a half done project, it is the ability to launch a project that would not be done but just for the purpose of getting votes, it is the ability to put up drama in public, share crocodile tears to attract sympathy.
This politics is deeper than I can explain, just like I said, it is mainly for the legends to relate.
This politics is the reason Ado- Ifaki dual carriage way was reviewed by successive governments and yet not completed, all thanks to BAO who is breaking the jinx.
This politics is the reason workers were owed several months of salaries, promotion arrears, deductions and many more benefits which have all been settled by Governor Oyebanji within two years in office.
You can now see why I said Oyebanji did not learn, imagine if he had learnt, he would have also reviewed the Ado-Ifaki road and many other uncompleted projects inherited and look away, he would have left the outstanding salaries of workers unpaid but focus on payments relating to his tenure alone just to do show off and allow people see that he is the best man, he would have given staff of office to monarchs in government house, fake investors would have come to launch invisible projects that would lift the spirit of the people in vain.
Out of desperation to win second term, he would have started unnecessary rush to commission kangaroo projects just to score points and attract sympathy, but here we have a man who has anchored his government on SINCERITY.
No unnecessary “POLITICS” no lie, no false hope, no empty promises, no sweet talks, instead, he has focused on good governance.
No sector, individual, group or union can lay claim to have enjoyed Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji than the other, he has been fair to all.
No community is left unattended to, the Assembly is enjoying absolute independence and support which is evident in the remodeling of their complex, constant trainings and vacations.
The fact remains that politicking is inevitable but it must not override the interest of Ekiti.
Joseph Treasure writes from Ado Ekiti.