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It was the 1688 revolution that enabled John Locke to discover that: “The power of the crown is determined by the consent of its subjects.” Since 2022 that he assumed office, Ekiti State governor, Biodun Oyebanji, didn’t just earn the respect of Ekiti populace, because he is occupying the number one seat. He worked hard and earned it by not hiding his well-inflamed mission to accomplish his shared prosperity vision.
A painstaking study of Oyebanji’s policy implementation would convince any skeptic and arch opponent that he has shrewdly pursued his vision. This, he does through strategic completion of the Ekiti Airport, several road projects, building magnificent flyover, employment of 5,000 peopel via commercial farming, building of farm dormitories, payment of salary, gratuity and pension and most importantly, by seeking God’s face, believing that He is omnipotent.
However, the most wondrous of his projects is the Ekiti State Ring Road Phase One in Ado Ekiti, the state capital. With this flagship project, Governor Oyebanji has recorded another first in his career and service to Ekiti.
The Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who commissioned the project waxed philosophical at the event, by succinctly branding the project as “Highway to Prosperity and Modernity.” This emotional statement emanated from him because he was dazzled by the quality of job done and the vision behind it.
In actual fact, the Lagos State chief executive was led by the spirit to aptly describe the project that way, looking at its significance to the economy of the state and the livelihoods of the people. The body languages and pauses of the inhabitants of the benefiting towns accentuated this impression.
By his modus operandi, the governor stoutly believed in the biblical injunction in the book of II Chronicles, chapter 26, verse 5, which said: “He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him prosperity.” Oyebanji knew how to seek the face of God as a governor and leader. He has constantly done this and things are looking up for the state in all hemispheres.
The governor, by actions, embraced the doctrine of the limited power of state and the supreme power of the people. He is neither brutish, rash nor ostentatious. He exhibits restraint and puts political mastery and pragmatic administrative sagacity on high octane to accomplish his shared prosperity agenda that has become the major slogan and kernel of his administration.
The memory of this day will linger for long. It was “annus mirabilis,” when all stakeholders abandoned partisanship and showed interest in governance. The okada riders, driver unions, trader unions, traditional chiefs and youth groups, all gathered to eulogise the governor for dismantling the castle of poverty at the grassroots through policy implementation that are becoming glaringly efficacious in battling socio-economic malaise pummelling them.
Some high profile personalities, like the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe and the renowned industrialist, Chief Julius Ajayi, veered off from the kernel of discussion and openly canvassed support for the second-term bid of Governor Oyebanji. These eminent citizens opined that the good gesture being demonstrated by the governor should be reciprocated through votes.
They perceived the June 20, 2026 governorship election as a veritable and propitious avenue to display to a man whose entire life is dedicated to selfless and sacrificial governance, that he is being appreciated.
Before now, roads were being majorly built by Ekiti government to ease transportation and meet the long agitations of the people. But that of Oyebanji was different and outstanding. They were being strategically initiated to open the state to flourishing agricultural system, as well open a vista of investment and business opportunities. This ring road vividly depicted this.
The 17.8 kilometres road means a lot to the survival of Ekiti’s economy. It sprawls from Iworoko and transverses other towns like Afao, Are, Igbogun, Araromi Obo and terminates within the precinct of the Ekiti State International Cargo Airport.
Just on the same day, the governor made the achievement a two-pronged one. He commissioned the Ekiti Revenue House edifice. A full-automated palatial building constructed by his administration to bolster the revenue profile through efficiency of staff.
The Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Mr Zach Adedeji, was captivated and spell-bounded by the accessories he saw on ground. He believed Oyebanji was truly serious with governance by placing high premium value on strengthening the revenue-generating power of his state. This, according to him, will help in pulverising the shackles of sole dependence on the federal allocations as the only oxygen for economic survival.
Governor Sanwo-Olu didn’t mince words in his glowing commendations to his Ekiti counterpart. He told the spectators in lucid terms that they have no viable alternative to the governor in the forthcoming election if delivery and performance are factored into the barometer of rating in juxtaposition with other would-be contestants.
The ecstatic Sanwo-Olu declared that Governor Oyebanji had, in three years of his administration, succeeded in entrenching the culture of purposeful governance that has benefitted all the strata of the state. To sustain this trajectory of good governance, he canvassed support for Governor Oyebanji and urged Ekiti voters to return him for a second term to further consolidate democracy gains. He averred that the Ekiti State governor has demonstrated that leadership is about service and not showmanship or acquisition of ill-gotten wealth at the expense of the populace.
The governor of the Centre of Excellence, showered encomiums on the House of Assembly for cooperating with the governor and strengthening Executive-Legislative partnership that ramps up development in the state. He described the Ring Road project, as strategic and pivotal to the development of the state, stressing that the governor has not disappointed and that through him, purposeful governance is spiralling and consolidating fast in Ekiti.
“I am impressed with how you are consolidating purposeful governance for Ekiti people. This is a governance they can see and feel, not in the air. You have proven to be an embodiment of what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has continued to challenge all of us at the subnational that we must represent the people well.
“You have a man, who, in three years, has done what some people can’t do in four or five years. He has shown that leadership is about service, about talk and do and about once you are given a commitment, there shouldn’t be any excuse. I stand here truly proud of what you have done. Ekiti can’t afford to reject you for a second term,” Sanwo-Olu stated.
“This is not just politics or rhetoric; this is an achievement we can all touch and feel. He has told you all the roads he has constructed, all the health centres he has built and all the youths he has engaged. For you to stop, this stop and start that you do, I want you to vote massively for him in 2026 election. Return him back to office to work for you.
“With this achievement that we are all proud of, Governor Oyebanji’s second term is a second term of additional prosperity, second term of more youth empowerment, second term of more hospital construction, second term of more empowerment for Senior citizens, and for our women, to feel more dividends of democracy.
“With the way things are going in Ekiti under Governor Oyebanji, in 2030, you will see a small London in Ekiti. You will see an Ekiti that is a pride of South-West and glory of Nigeria that will drive our people home from where they work abroad.”
Commenting on how pivotal the ring road is to economic growth, Governor Oyebanji, revealed that the project was specifically conceptualised to decongest Ado Ekiti metropolis of vehicular gridlock. Also to spike up economic activities along Iworoko, Afao, Are, Igbemo, Araromi Obo and other adjoining towns.
Exhibiting confidence that his strategic thinking will open up the state to better prosperity, Oyebanji was upbeat that with this road, the first of its kind in the state, a new Ado Ekiti town will be created along the corridor that will drive industrial growth and urban development that will add value to the state.
“This road, which is about 17.85 kilometres, is just the first phase and we are grateful to President Tinubu for freeing more money to the subnational and we promise that we will triple our votes for Mr President in 2027,” he said.
Oyebanji commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for freeing more revenues to states through his economic reformations. He boasted that the attempt to break away from sole reliance on federal allocations propelled him to rejig the revenue base, culminating in the N1.7 billion worth revenue house to inject modernity to revenue collection and prudent management of funds.
The FIRS boss, Dr. Adedeji, didn’t just come to Ekiti for jamboree, he echoed commendations suggesting that Ekiti was enjoying the best service under the current governor. Little wonder, he saluted the Ekiti State government for its visionary leadership and dedication to strengthening internally generated revenue systems. He noted that the project reflects the growing collaboration between the FIRS, JTB, and state governments in building sustainable fiscal structures across Nigeria.
“This Revenue House is more than just a physical structure — it represents progress, accountability, and partnership. The FIRS and JTB remain committed to simplifying tax processes, supporting subnational revenue reforms, and ensuring that every naira collected contributes to development,” Dr. Adedeji stated.
Tracing the trajectory of Governor Oyebanji’s participation in the epic battle for the creation of Ekiti State in 1996, the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, praised the governor for his multifarious economic policies. The first-class traditional ruler said his enigmatic drives have made all the political, religious, market men and women and youth groups to endorse him for a second term.
“I am not surprised at what you are doing, because you are material prepared for this job long ago. You are humble, kind and generous. We pray for Ekiti to be in peace for you to continue to serve the people. God will help you succeed,” the traditional ruler said.
An industrialist and owner of Little by Little Photo, Chief Julius Ajayi, waxed philosophical in his presentation. He likened Oyebanji to a king who came to build, rather than to plunder. He appealed to all Ekiti people to help in sustaining the tempo of good governance being enjoyed by returning Oyebanji to power in 2026.
•Ogunje, is Special Assistant on Media to Ekiti State Deputy Governor
