3 Years of Oyebanji’s Leadership and the Call for Continuity
By Idowu Ephraim Faleye +2348132100608
When someone asked me recently, “What has Governor Biodun Oyebanji done in Ekiti State to deserve a second term?” I smiled. It’s a fair question, but often asked by those who judge progress only by what they can see. Many of Oyebanji’s achievements are quiet but deeply felt. His leadership has been steady, purposeful, and people-centered. That is why the people, political leaders, and even some from the opposition now speak with one voice — Oyebanji deserves to continue beyond his first term.
If anything defines the first three years of his administration, it is peace. For a state like Ekiti, peace is not a small thing; it is the foundation of every progress. Before now, farmers were afraid to go to their farms. Kidnapping, herders’ attacks, and insecurity had made rural life unsafe. Oyebanji changed that story. He invested heavily in security, recruiting Ekiti people into the Amotekun Corps, Forest Guards, Peace Corps, and Anti-Grazing Units. These men and women know their terrain and protect their own communities. Today, farmers go to their farms without fear. That single decision revived food production, boosted local trade, and restored confidence in rural life.
Even beyond rural safety, the peace now felt across Ekiti State is unmatched in its history since the return of civil rule. It is only under Oyebanji’s tenure that the two major driver unions, which used to clash violently and disrupt public order, have coexisted without fighting each other. For years, their rivalry often brought chaos to towns and cities, but today, there is calm on the roads, harmony in the parks, and cooperation among drivers. That stability did not happen by chance — it is the product of a leadership that listens, mediates, and genuinely seeks peace.
Security is not only about weapons and uniforms; it is also about political calm. In the past, Ekiti politics was full of tension and rivalry that distracted governance. Oyebanji ended that by embracing everyone — leaders, party loyalists, and even former opponents. He runs an inclusive government that listens. For the first time in many years, Ekiti is politically stable. This peace has encouraged investment, built confidence, and allowed development to continue unhindered. Peace may look invisible, but it is the silent strength behind every progress.
Another mark of Oyebanji’s leadership is continuity of abandoned projects. Many leaders abandon projects started by predecessors just to create their own legacy projects. Oyebanji chose a better path — completing the abandoned projects that had drained Ekiti’s funds. The Cargo Airport is one example. Billions had been sunk into it before he came, and it would have been politically correct to abandon it. Instead, he completed it by investing huge billions of Naira to protect the people’s investment. The same goes for the Ado–Iworoko–Ifaki Road, a federal road that strained state finances but was vital for trade and transport. By finishing such projects, Oyebanji proved governance is not about ego but service.
The results are clear. The airport now positions Ekiti for economic expansion, attracting business, logistics, and tourism. The reconstructed roads reduce travel time, boost agricultural distribution, and connect local markets. Every traveler and truck that moves freely on those routes adds value to the state’s economy. That is purposeful governance — quiet work that produces visible results.
Some people argue that paying salaries and pensions should not be celebrated. In theory, they are right, but they forget history. There was a time in Ekiti when workers went months without pay, when pensioners cried at government gates, and markets went silent because nobody had money to buy. Ekiti is a civil-service-driven state. When workers are paid regularly, everyone benefits — traders, artisans, transporters, and families. Oyebanji ensured prompt payment of salaries, pensions, bonuses, and deductions. He cleared arrears, promoted workers as due, and restored dignity to public service.
The policy impact is visible everywhere. Regular salary payments revived local businesses, improved purchasing power, and restored life to the economy. Artisans get more work, traders sell more, and money circulates again. A government that keeps its workers happy sustains peace and productivity. That is why for most Ekiti families, Oyebanji’s government represents relief, stability, and hope.
In education, he has quietly done what matters most. Knowing the future lies in classrooms, he paid huge counterpart funds to access Universal Basic Education grants, enabling renovation and construction of schools across the state. He also tackled teacher shortages. Through recruitment of qualified teachers, both primary and secondary schools in over 140 communities now have enough staff. Many rural schools that once had only one or two teachers now have full classrooms again. The impact may not be on billboards, but it is written on the faces of children learning in better environments. Oyebanji is building minds, not monuments.
The health sector tells a similar story. His “Ulerawa” health project has been recognized nationally for impact. Nearly every localities now has functional health centers renovated and equipped to serve people where they live. Pregnant women no longer travel long distances for care. Child mortality has dropped, and rural dwellers now get medical attention faster. The General Hospital has been increased in number and strengthing to support the health centers in case of complicated health cases. At the state level, the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital has undergone major renovations and expansions. Health care in Ekiti is now closer, safer, and more efficient — real proof of people-focused governance.
Rural development has also been transformed. Oyebanji made sure even the smallest communities feel government presence. The World Bank-assisted rural road projects exist because the state paid its counterpart funds. Without that, nothing would have been done. Beyond that, over 40 road projects — from inter-town connections to community access roads — are completed or nearing completion. Farmers and traders now move goods more easily. Rural roads have opened local economies, improved transport, and reduced post-harvest losses.
Those who say they cannot see projects are simply not paying attention. From the ongoing 180-room health infrastructure at the Teaching Hospital to new structures around the government house, Ekiti is changing. Even the aesthetics of Ado-Ekiti and its surroundings have improved. These are visible signs of a government that is active, creative, and forward-looking.
Youth empowerment has also received attention. Through recruitment into the teaching service, civil service, security outfits, and agricultural programs, Oyebanji has given young people opportunities for stable employment. To some, that may sound ordinary, but to the families of those employed, it means hope and stability. Every job given secures a future for one family. That is development that matters.
Some critics claim increased federal allocation explains the progress, but that’s only half true. Yes, allocations have risen, but so has the cost of governance. The prices of fuel, cement, bitumen, and other materials have multiplied. A kilometer of road now costs several times more than it did a few years ago. Monthly recurrent expenditures have also risen sharply due to salary increments and higher overhead costs. Civil servants confirm that this is the first time in Ekiti’s history that salary increments cut across all cadres. In the past, only lower-level workers benefited, but now everyone — from junior staff to top management — has felt the impact. Yet, despite this heavier burden, Oyebanji’s administration continues to deliver projects, pay salaries promptly, and meet obligations without excuses. That is fiscal discipline — leadership that plans ahead and manages resources with integrity.
All these achievements share one thing: they are built on substance, not show. Oyebanji does not make noise; he simply gets things done. His humility and open-door leadership have earned him rare respect. That is why both the people and political stakeholders now say with one voice — Oyebanji should continue. The people say, “We endorse you for continuity.” The APC says, “We cannot refuse the people’s demand; we therefore present Oyebanji as our consensus candidate.” This is not imposition; it is consensus born of trust and proof of performance.
In just three years, Oyebanji has shown that development does not require drama, only direction. His governance reflects Ekiti’s values of hard work, modesty, and integrity. He has turned challenges into opportunities and united the people beyond politics.
Some critics often point to certain roads, whether within Ado-Ekiti metropolis or in some rural communities, that have not yet been touched. Their concerns are understandable, but it must be said that development — whether human or infrastructural — is an ongoing process. No government, no matter how sincere or efficient, can fix everything at once. Resources are limited, and priorities must follow careful planning, fairness, and available funds. What matters is that progress has begun with clear direction and accountability.
Even some roads built only a few years ago are already deteriorating and need attention, proving that development is not a one-time event but a continuous effort. Governor Oyebanji’s administration understands this reality, which is why his approach is gradual, sustainable, and inclusive. Every project not yet touched today is already in view for tomorrow, and with consistency and continuity, they will be captured in future budgets until every part of Ekiti feels the presence of progress.
Some others also complain about the poor state of certain federal roads in Ekiti, but that concern must be placed in proper context. Nigeria operates a federal system in which responsibilities are divided into Exclusive, Concurrent, and Residual Legislative Lists. Federal roads fall under the Exclusive List, meaning only the Federal Government has constitutional authority to build and maintain them. State governments cannot legally spend their limited funds on such roads, and even when they do, the money is not refunded. For example, the over ₦20 billion earlier spent by Ekiti on the Ado–Iworoko–Ifaki Federal Road will not be reimbursed. If that amount were used for state roads, schools, or hospitals, the benefits would have reached more communities.
This is why Governor Oyebanji has focused wisely on areas within state jurisdiction while persistently engaging the Federal Government to act. Thankfully, those efforts are yielding results, as the Federal Government has begun reconstructing the Ado–Akure Road and has awarded the Ado–Ikare Road. These actions show that patient dialogue and responsible advocacy achieve far more than reckless spending, and they affirm the governor’s prudent and accountable leadership style.
So, when civil servants, farmers, traders, students, and traditional rulers all speak in one voice to endorse him, it is not political pressure. It is lived experience. They have seen peace after chaos, stability after hardship, and progress after stagnation. They have seen that a government that works quietly but delivers is better than one that shouts and achieves nothing.
The consensus around Oyebanji is not about politics; it is about trust — about protecting what is working and allowing it to grow. Three years of purposeful governance have set Ekiti on the right path; continuity will complete the journey.
Ekiti has found its rhythm again — a rhythm of peace, responsibility, and progress. Governor Biodun Oyebanji has earned the people’s confidence not by noise but by service. His achievements, visible and invisible, have touched homes, schools, markets, and farmlands. The people know it, they feel it, and they are ready to defend it. That is why he is the consensus candidate — not because he asked for it, but because he has earned it.
As Ekiti stands at the crossroads of decision, the truth is clear and the evidence speaks louder than any slogan. For three years, Governor Biodun Oyebanji has governed with humility, purpose, and results. Peace has returned, progress is steady, and hope is alive again. This is not the time to gamble with the future of a people who have found direction.
Yet, in the spirit of fairness and open democracy that Oyebanji himself upholds, if anyone truly believes he has not earned the right to continue — if anyone can boldly point to a reason why he should not be the consensus choice of Ekiti people — let such a voice speak now. Let them come forward with facts, not noise. Otherwise, let them be silent forever.
Idowu Ephraim Faleye | EphraimHill DataBlog | Freelance Writer | Independent Stories | Data-Driven Insights