One Good Term Deserved Another: The Oyebanji Transformation Story in Ekiti-State.
By Idowu Ephraim Faleye.
When Governor Biodun Oyebanji sat down for Part 2 of his exclusive interview with TVC’s Journalists Hangout on Sunday, May 4th, 2025, it wasn’t just another political media outing. It was a heart-to-heart session, the kind that hits home and makes you pause to appreciate the journey of leadership. From his words, you could feel that this man wasn’t just holding office; he was living the experience—deeply, intentionally, and with genuine love for Ekiti State. It was more than soundbites—it was truth seasoned with passion and vision.
He began by reflecting on the past two and a half years, not with prideful chest-thumping, but with heartfelt humility. "The last two and a half years have been a profound learning curve," he said, and you could tell he meant it. He described it as a privilege—yes, a privilege—to serve and deeply connect with the people of Ekiti. He spoke of how the feedback from the people, their warmth, and their honest opinions were what kept his team going through thick and thin. It’s not every day you hear a politician say the people’s feedback “keeps us going.” That’s not just PR; that’s someone who is genuinely listening.
And he wasn’t just listening; he was acting. He spoke extensively about agriculture—not in vague, political terms, but with the clarity of a man who understands its potential and is already proving what can be achieved. “Agriculture is our lifeline in Ekiti,” he declared. You might think that’s just a slogan, but then he dropped the fact: agriculture contributes over 60% to Ekiti’s GDP. That’s huge. For a state like Ekiti, with its vast arable land and rich farming tradition, this should not come as a surprise, but what’s striking is how deliberately his administration has positioned agriculture to feed people, create wealth, and secure lives.
He wasn’t throwing money at agriculture the way governments have done in the past. No. He is redefining what agriculture means for young people. Imagine onboarding nearly 3,000 youths into six agric clusters, giving them not just land or cutlasses, but real tools, real training, and real access to markets. That’s not punishment; that’s building prosperity. “We’re proving that agriculture is no longer punishment but prosperity,” he said. And if you’ve seen what those youths are doing in those clusters, you’d know it’s true. They’re not just farming, they’re running agribusinesses, and they are proud of it.
In fact, what used to be hideouts for criminals in the forest are now green fields of crops. That line hit hard: “Criminal hideouts in our bushes are turning into green fields.” That’s not just a poetic statement; it’s a strategy. It’s how you reclaim your state from the claws of insecurity—by bringing life back to the land. And this reclamation is not just about farming; it’s about restoring safety and dignity to communities that had once been afraid of their own backyards.
Governor Oyebanji didn’t stop there. He took a moment to expose a very common plague in Nigerian governance—'political farmers.’ You know them: those who dress up as farmers only when there's government money to grab. But not in Ekiti anymore. He made it clear that their system now filters out these imposters through a structured cooperative model. Only real farmers are accessing interventions. “We now deal with real farmers, not ‘political farmers’ who hijack interventions.” That’s how you build trust in public policy.
The infrastructure push is another game-changer. Governor Oyebanji’s administration is leading the way on the RAAMP initiative, with 1000 kilometers of rural roads being constructed across the state. Imagine what that means for farmers in remote areas. Imagine the economic boom when those roads connect farmsteads to markets. That’s how you build an economy from the ground up—literally. “We’ve paid our dues,” he said, and indeed they have.
One example that stands out is the Ado–Iworoko–Ifaki federal road. The state government spent N20 billion fixing this crucial federal road without a single reimbursement from Abuja. N20 billion! That’s not a pocket change. That money could have been used elsewhere, but they chose to do it because, in his words, “Ekiti lives matter.” That simple sentence sums up what leadership should be about—prioritizing people above politics. But he didn’t mince words about how unjust it is for federal roads to drain state resources. And he’s right. States shouldn’t be forced to choose between saving lives and staying solvent.
Then came the airport story. Some people thought it was just another white elephant project, but he made it clear: “Our airport isn’t accidental. It’s our handshake with the world.” And now that the airport has been registered as a cargo airport, it’s clear it was a strategic move to attract federal support. But beyond that, it positions Ekiti as a logistics hub, especially for agro-allied products and tourism. That’s how you think long-term. That’s how you draw investors in, not just with talks but with infrastructure that speaks volumes.
Speaking of investment, Governor Oyebanji proudly shared that Ekiti is now a preferred destination for foreign investment. With cassava processing zones being developed and partnerships with the African Development Bank (AFDB) in place, Ekiti’s agro-industrial future is glowing with promise. That’s no small feat. Investors don’t go where there’s uncertainty; they go where there’s structure, policy clarity, and strategic vision. And clearly, they see that in Ekiti.
But what makes all of this even more inspiring is knowing the man behind the mission didn’t just walk into power unprepared. He’s a seasoned public servant. Years of experience in different capacities—SA, SSA, Chief of Staff, Commissioner (twice), Head of Transformation, Secretary to the State Government—have prepared him for this moment. He didn’t stumble into leadership. “I trained for it,” he said. And that, right there, explains why things are working in Ekiti. He didn’t come to learn on the job. He came to apply what he already knew, and it’s paying off.
Of course, in politics, there will always be critics—constructive or otherwise. But he doesn’t get distracted. His focus remains the people of Ekiti. And when you have an 80% approval rating, you know you’re doing something right. “Constructive or ignorant, I take every criticism in stride,” he said. That’s maturity. That’s leadership.
What touched many viewers the most was when he spoke about unity. “Dr. Fayemi told me: Don’t inherit my enemies.” That’s such a powerful principle. Too often, Nigerian politics is about vendettas and grudges. But here is a man who chose unity over division. He didn’t just quote Fayemi; he acted on it. He reached out to former governors, including Engr. Segun Oni and others, valuing their mentorship. Because, as he rightly said, “Development thrives when politics is not war.” If only more politicians could think like this.
Now, if all these words from Governor Oyebanji don’t resonate with you, then maybe you haven’t been watching what’s happening in Ekiti State. This is not just governance; it’s transformation. This is what it looks like when a leader leads with sense, sincerity, and structure. When a leader sees beyond his time in office and starts laying the groundwork for generations to come. And make no mistake, Ekiti is changing before our very eyes.
But the work isn’t done. The path is still long, and the transformation is still unfolding. What Governor Biodun Oyebanji has started deserves to continue—not just for continuity’s sake, but because the foundation has been rightly laid, and the vision is clear. Ekiti cannot afford to go back to square one. Not now that young people are finding dignity in agriculture, not now that roads are reaching the remotest parts of the state, not now that real farmers are finally being empowered, not now that green fields are replacing criminal hideouts, and certainly not now that the world is beginning to see Ekiti as a place of promise.
So when the time comes again for Ekiti people to choose, it should not be a hard decision. Because when someone gives you peace, progress, and purpose—you don’t send him away. You don’t gamble with your future. You hold onto him and say, “One good time deserves another.”
Governor Biodun Oyebanji has earned not just our votes, but our trust, our respect, and our heartfelt gratitude. And come that moment, we must stand with him—because he has always stood with us.
Idowu Ephraim Faleye writes from Ado-Ekiti- 08132100608
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