EKITI AND DEMOCRACY DIVIDENDS: THE PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENTS AND THE IMPACTS OF OUR LEADERS SO FAR
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EKITI AND DEMOCRACY DIVIDENDS:
THE PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENTS AND THE IMPACTS OF OUR LEADERS SO FAR
By Gboyega Adetola
gboyejossef@gmail.com
08166929704
“…Performance should be the yardstick for a reelection. What we have seen in the past is politics and aspirants buying their way to power…”
The beauty of a state is its physical and human growth, socio-economic stability, technological innovation and infrastructural development.
These depend on the good fortune its leadership is able to bestow on it as a result of governing the people and managing both its human capital and other natural resources.
The ability of the leaders to provide a conducive enviroment for living, and for privately owned companies and government parastaltas to have a thriving life span
Ekiti has produced five substantive leadership in the democratic dispensation between 1999 till date with two of the governors serving in two different terms.
How have these five leaders faired in ensuring the beauty of Ekiti State and more so, in terms of producing good governance and maintaining a social stability and political freedom in the state.
What exactly have they been able to give back to the people who entrusted them with the God-given resources after a long wait to get freed from military dictatorship and despotism.
Below are some of the major activities of the tenure in office of each of them.
However, not considering a dead project or initiative during their era.
NIYI ADEBAYO 1999-2002
A handsome gentleman. Son of the popular Ekiti-born General took over from the military men as the first democratically elected governor of the state.
Youthful and astute. A lawyer by profession. He was green in the political terrain locally and nationally but probably with the influence of his popular father contested for the seat under the Alliance for Democracy and won the election.
Ekiti State was raw in terms of development with little social amenities to boast of. Typically untapped natural resources.
No Industries. Few institutions of higher learning. No good road network, no existence of dual carriage ways, etc.
He had the privilege to lay the precedence and establish a road map for the state in terms of growth and development as the first elected governor of the state.
However, he came evidently unprepared as he made little or no impact in transforming the state. Though, Ekiti experienced peace and tranquility through out his tenure as he maintained political decorum.
Part of his legacies were.
1. Oju olobun estate, Lagos
2. Ekiti transport service
3. Ekiti house Abuja
4. Gossy water Ikogosi.
This performance record was absolutely abysmal and visionless.
AYO FAYOSE. 2003-2006.
This young man came with enthusiasm and zeal to perform and to change the face of Ekiti.
Before his election, he has been involved in some notable community development projects in preparation for his ambition to become the state governor.
He eventually dethroned the government in power single handedly. No political Godfather or mentor. He fought his way through to the exalted seat. He employed grassroot political gimmicks his predecessor seemed not to understand.
He created for himself the nickname “grassroot governor” while immediately identifying with many on the streets. His undoing is political rascality and jejune style of administration and leadership that unfairly exposed the state to national ignominy.
His projects include
1. Adetiloye Hall
2. Fountain Hotel
3. Fayose market.
4. Trade fair complex.
On the long run, politics and ego competition with Obasanjo-led federal government swept him out of government.
His government was terminated and was sent parking forcefully. He has little or no opportunity to make much impact.
SEGUN ONI 2007-2009.
A refined and reserved man. Almost the opposite in character to his predecessor. He maintained dignity and prestige bequest of a governor and steadily planned to make a positive impact before the court sacked him through an election tribunal that declared his government illegal.
In his barely 2 years in office, his legacies include:
1. Irewolede Estate
2.10 years retired workers’ gratuity arrears paid
3. Oba Adejugbe Hospital
4. University of Science and Technology, Ifaki Ekiti.
KAYODE FAYEMI 2010-2014.
He came in as an acclaimed Obama friend (US president) and a war strategist. He made the people of Ekiti believed that development would be easier because of his rare closeness with the American president.
People’s expectations were high due to his refined nature and exposure.
However, he employed a cosmetic way of governance. Thinking governance is by showboating.
The state only experienced little or no transformation under his watch. Ekiti could rarely point to his achievements in this period.
1. College of Health Technology, Ijero Ekiti.
AYO FAYOSE 2014-2018
The man came back with full force, not forgetting his mission. He capitalised on the failure of his predecessor. The predecessor’s lack of performance enabled him to win the election in all the LG areas.
He was determined to change the face of Ekiti that he was initially deprived of and so he was nicknamed the architect of modern Ekiti by a known writer and author.
In his 4-year term, he has the following legacies
1. Dualisation of Ado-Ikere high way (Uncompleted)
2. Dualisation of Fajuyi road through Okesa
3. New governor’s office at Oke ayaba
4. Fajuyi Overhead bridge
KAYODE FAYEMI 2019-2023.
The return of the man tagged JKF. He seemed to have a better experience this second time.
Whether he has learnt his lessons then could only be seen through his performance but he had nothing to lose since he was serving his final tenure as a governor.
He started well with full concentration to prove his worth but he was later distracted by national politics thereby limiting him to little achievements once again.
He made Abuja the FCT his second office. Notwithstanding, he didn’t forget to make some impacts and achievements.
His legacies include.
1. New Government House, Ado Ekiti.
2. Cars for all traditional rulers in Ekiti
3. Commencement of the construction of Cargo Airport.
4. New Iyin – Ado Ekiti Highway
5. Obafemi Awolowo Civic Centre
6. Ikogosi warm Spring Resorts
7. Ekiti Parapo Pavilion
8. Dualisation of Okeyinmi- Atikankan Road.
BIODUN OYEBANJI 2023 – Till Date
The former secretary to the state government in the predecessor’s cabinet.
An experienced administrator in Ekiti terrain and a grassroot power broker with good knowledge of social intercourse.
He has once been commissioner for budget and planning. He took over the mantle of power as one of the best hands available to steer the affairs of the state.
The man who was also a former Chief of Staff has been part of the history of Ekiti as the secretary to the committee on state creation.
As the state governor, he embodies a fundamental decency and have a closed rank attitude with all leaders and followers.
This nature earned him the nickname “Omoluabi Governor” replicating a value and virtue known for Ekiti man.
In his two years in power, Ekiti could witness the following projects. Either completed or on going.
1. Completion of Cargo Airport
2. Commencement of the Overhead bridge from Okeyinmi to Ajilosun, Ado Ekiti.
3. Facelift of RRS Headquarters at trade fair complex as a feedback from Ekiti Future Agenda security round table in 2024
4. Establishment of Ekiti State Electricity Regulatory Bureau.
5. New office complex of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Home affairs.
6. New Local Govt service commission office
7. 17 operational vehicles for Amotekun corps
8. ICT centre, Ilafon Ekiti
9. Women Skills Acquisition Centre, Ado Ekiti
10. Technology Incubator Centre, Ado Ekiti
11. Resuscitation of Ekiti Trade Fair Complex
12. Concession of truck stop park, Omuo Oke Ekiti.
13. Perimeter survey of the proposed Central Business District Atikankan, Ado Ekiti.
14. Adire Ekiti Hub
15. Conversion of School of Health Technology to Polytechnic.
16. Recruitment of security guards across public secondary schools.
17. Establishment of Ekiti State Agro Marshall.
18. Ekiti State International centre for Arts and Culture. Ekute, Ado Ekiti.
19. Ekiti State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Projects. RAAMP roads.
20. Commencement of the construction of Ekiti Ring road.
21. Civil Engineering Building, Ministry of Works.
Performance should be the yardstick for a reelection. What we have seen in the past is politics and aspirants buying their way to power.
Ekiti people deserve more from our leaders at all levels of government especially at the state level.
The basis of government is to make lives better for the people. Good governance is the only way to make a positive impact and have a lasting positive influence on the populace.
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