Ekiti: As The Baton Changes Hand

By Ayodele Oni

On Sunday, 16th October, 2022, Dr Kayode Fayemi’s tenure will end after serving as two term Governor of the Fountain of Knowledge State – Ekiti.

Fayemi’s two terms, no doubt, witnessed development and transformation of the hilly state in all spheres. His oust during the first term 2013 to 2016 by stomach infrastructure author and People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) candidate, Ayo Fayose, that came too to serve his second term, actually taught Fayemi lesson about the direction which politics of Ekiti should tend.

No doubt, Dr Fayemi, who resigned from the federal cabinet to take shot again at Ekiti governorship, immediately hit the ground with the support of his wife, Erelu Bisi, who herself is a master stroke in the politics of Ekiti.

As he bows out, and hands over to his annoited candidate, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, Dr Fayemi is satisfied that he has contributed his quota to the growth of Ekiti with his name written on sand of time.

Oyebanji, who is receiving the baton is not a stranger in the affairs of the State. He is a home grown politician that has been part of what is today called Ekiti. He was part of the committee which worked for the creation of the State. He served the committee as secretary.

His foray into public service started in Ekiti when he took up appointment with the state owned university. He has served as a commissioner and lately secretary to the state government from where he is receiving the annoiting to govern the state.

October 16th change of baton in Ekiti is unique in the sense that this is the first time a Governor will hand over to same man from same party since the creation of the state.

The People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) and All Progressive Congress, (APC) have been exchanging the baton since the creation of the state. Fayose attempted to enthrone his deputy but failed. Now that Fayemi has succeeded in bequeathing the state to his political kinsman, the people of the state are waiting to see the gains.

No doubt, outgoing Governor Fayemi has tried his best, but more still need to be done virtually in all spheres. Oyebanji will be inheriting backlog of unpaid workers and retirees entitlements, including salary, pension and gratuity.

Some of these entitlements are as old as the state as successive administration ensure that they are pushed to their successors.

At present, the state is about to be cut off from the rest of the country as virtually all roads linking it to other parts are in deplorable conditions. Even township roads within the state capital are nothing to write home about.

The revenue base of the state is still at the lowest ebb, which classifies the state as one of the economically poorest in the country. Outgoing administration tried to raise this through introduction of various forms of taxation, but the people, who are at the receiving end cried out.

Already, the state Internal Revenue department has been contracted out to private body to manage all in an effort to boost revenue to enable government have access to more fund for development projects.

People expect the local government administration under the new regime to be more active and responsive to the yearnings and aspirations of rural dwellers. The stance of Dr Fayemi, as regards local government as the third tier of government really affect their operations during his tenure.

Rather than allowing local councils spend their money, the state, under the outgoing administration took it upon itself to award contract on their behalf when it deemed it fit.

Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU), Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti chapter has been on strike, even before the nationwide one started, due to non payment of salaries and termination of appointment of some of its members.

As a former staff of the university, the incoming Governor is expected to do the needful, which is upward review of subvention to the institution. Others establishments in this category are equally waiting for the magic wand of the incoming Governor.

There are ongoing projects which the people want their early completion. Some communities in the state are currently being ravaged by flood, while towns are waiting for early resolution of obaship tussle. The hopes on the incoming Governor by the people are just enormous.

A social media commentator has this advice to give the incoming administration : “Whoever mounts ekiti legally contentious saddle must watch his words on the rostrum .

“He should drastically mellow down on projects for at least a year. This will enable him clear unnecessary debts Fayemi plunged Ekiti. Salary arrears, pension arrears 2016 leave bonus of a section of primary school teachers , union deductions , cooperative deductions , marginally accumulated gratuity.

“Within 100 days, local government murdered by Fayemi must be given a lifeline . Era of junketing around in private jets, choppers, while crying Paucity of funds must stop.”

Another one, Odunayo Ehinafe writes “It’s pertinent we all know and realize that our state needs to be fully revived as the incoming governor promised us during the electioneering period, and this why I would mention few of the things that needs urgent attention in our dear State.

“Teaching hospital: Lately the state teaching hospital has been lagging  back on what they’re  known for, as people prefer to go to other private hospitals than going to the teaching hospital because of getting low medical care and attention.

“The teaching hospital should be provided with more adequate healthcare facilities and have more effective people employed and their activities should be well looked into and make sure there’s an improvement that’ll really help alot and the Governor should make it by surprise visit sometimes.

“Lastly, I would advice the incoming governor to please see to the pensioners unpaid salaries and workers backlogs of Salary, salary arrears, leave bonuses and also make it a necessity for him to always inspect all the projects he’d approve for effective delivery.”