Ekiti: The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji says his administration is on course to make history as the first democratically elected government in the state to achieve ‘back-to-back continuity,’ if re-elected in 2026.
According to Voice of Nigeria, Governor Oyebanji described the unity within the All Progressives Congress (APC) as ‘historic,’ noting that all political tendencies in the party have agreed to adopt him as the consensus candidate. “What happened today is historic. In 29 years of our state’s history, no democratically elected government has succeeded itself. By God’s grace, if we win next year, we’ll be the first,” he said.
The Governor highlighted the absence of political continuity in the past as a factor that had slowed Ekiti’s progress, with successive governments often abandoning existing policies and projects. “Each government came with its own agenda and abandoned the work of its predecessor. That has been the bane of our development,” Governor Oyebanji stated.
Governor Oyebanji pointed to his extensive career in public service, which spans over 11 years under former governors Niyi Adebayo and Kayode Fayemi, as instrumental in helping him avoid past mistakes and foster peace among political leaders. He emphasized his cordial relationship with former governors, including Ayo Fayose and Segun Oni, as a key contributor to political stability in the state. “People assume I give them money; no. I simply respect them. I visit them, attend their events, and keep communication open. That mutual respect has brought peace and unity to Ekiti,” he explained.
On women’s inclusion, Governor Oyebanji remarked that Ekiti leads the country in gender equality, with women occupying key positions such as Deputy Governor, SSG, Head of Service, and Accountant-General. He noted the state’s support for women in the informal sector via special desks in all ministries to promote affirmative action. “We have one of the highest representations of women in governance in Nigeria, but we must also keep pushing for better inclusion beyond appointments,” he explained.
Governor Oyebanji also shared that 5,000 youths have been empowered through agricultural initiatives across 13 farm clusters, with modern dormitories built to encourage full-time participation in agribusiness. On the education front, he reaffirmed his commitment to repositioning education in Ekiti, known as the ‘Fountain of Knowledge,’ by improving curriculum relevance, teacher welfare, and school infrastructure, especially at the secondary school level.
He emphasized the importance of political independence, noting that Ekiti has no history of godfatherism. “We don’t have a tradition of predecessors lording over successors. My predecessors never interfere. I intend to uphold that culture,” he said.
As for the 2026 election, Oyebanji expressed confidence but cautioned against complacency. “We’ll keep working until the last minute. Ekiti’s election also has implications for 2027, so we won’t take chances,” he stated. The Governor further elaborated on his 30-year development plan, envisioning an economically vibrant, industrialized, and secure Ekiti by 2030, where citizens can “live, work, and invest with pride.”