The season is now, when all the dramatis personae on the political turf in Ekiti put on their different political togas.

This time around, they usually come out in their full regalia to show wits and display oratorical powers and most times, the worst of political chicanery.

Often times too, it turns out to be a mere parade of credentials and well-choreographed bravura to gain attention for post-electoral contest relevance and resonance.

But the show more often than not comes with undue distractions and cheer waste of time and hard-earned resources for the political attention seekers and even the focused man in the seat with gaze and compass in the right direction like

His Excellency, Governor Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji, is the man presently in the saddle in our dear state of Ekiti.

Governor Oyebanji hit the ground running immediately after assuming office.

He began his administration by building on the legacy projects of his predecessors, ignoring political differences for the sake of development.

Since 2003, when a few maverick politicians supported former President Olusegun Obasanjo to thwart the Afenifere political ascendancy and succession politics and legacy in the South West.

It has thereby inadvertently paved the way for former Governor, then his major choice, Mr. Peter Ayodele Fayose, who came out of the blue to clinch the governorship seat in Ekiti State without a whimper.

The contest for power at the governorship and other levels, for that matter, has always been everybody’s affair, a do or die, make or mar kind of phenomenon.

Unfortunately, the emergence of Fayose on the scene changed the entire political landscape.

This is with so many paradigm shifts full of their share of theatrics and learning curves.

Among other things, the Omoluabi ethos, which Ekitis were hitherto renowned and respected took a sudden flight.

However, in its place was replaced with undue political thuggery, hatchery, black mailing and uncouth social and political culture.

These eviscerated decency and civility in all its elegance and desirability.

To this end, the state has thus ever since become a theatre of the absurd all in the name of political contest, competition, rivalry or worst form of competitive chivalry and disorientation.

Also, disconnection from the ultimate goals and goods of the poor electorate, who remain at the mercy of these political gladiators and ‘rebels’.

This, of course keeps attracting for our peaceful state unwarranted daily news headlines for the wrong reasons.

That was the foundation years ago that gave birth to a society that was unapologetically divided against itself.

Of course, within the same period, our dear state has thrown up the finest of leaders, who have made us proud in many areas.

But in the year 2022, like a phoenix from the ashes, God helped to reposition the state.

This is as the governorship candidate Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji, least expected to wear the crown in view of hitherto well-positioned candidates of the powers that be then emerged victorious in a keenly contested gubernatorial party primary.

With his emergence, he later won the actual contest as the executive governor of the state in multi-party electoral contests against other Aspirants.

Humble, humane and charismatic as a leader and an Omoluabi, Oyebanji, a thorough-bred grass-roots politician with deep insights and empathy for the Ekiti Ketes beyond party lines and affiliations.

Governor Abiodun Abayomi has since grown in status and pedigree as a unifier, a peacemaker, and a bridge builder.

He encapsulates what political inclusivity means and represents in all aspects and ramifications.

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He remains the exact opposite of yesterday’s men of power in the state without making any noise or stepping on toes, be it fragile or solid rock.

Abayomi Oyebamiji represents all that Ekitis wanted in a governor.

The people-centric governor met all the criteria and appealed to our people, home and abroad, notwithstanding race, creed or religion.

The future-forward-thinking is a peaceful man of gentle mien with sterner political capability, capacity, competence and highly ‘civilised’ native intelligence.

He brought the Omoluabi ethos back into political discourse, restoring dignity to leadership and decorum to governance.

As a passionate Ekitiman, I’m always concerned about leadership and development in our dear state.

As one of the admirers of former Governor Kayode Fayemi, an enigmatic leader and brilliant administrator, I was worried about what would become of the state after his exit.

At the twilight of Fayemi’s second term in office, many names were paraded as likely successors.

I knew a few of them, but I didn’t know Governor Oyebanji before that moment beyond reading about his antecedents as one of the loyal political foot soldiers of both former Governor Niyi Adebayo and Dr. Fayemi.

Interestingly, one day, in one of my privileged visitations to my friend, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, out of curiosity for the day after the end of his brilliant second term tenure, I asked with a smile and journalism mischief whom Governor Kayode Fayemi would endorse as successor.

Characteristic of JKF’s candour and bluntness, he told me pointedly without any equivocation that his successor must be the one whom the Ekiti electorates truly want and desires as their preferred governor.

Nevertheless, he stated very clearly to me without any equivocation that the so-called successor must possess certain characteristics.

These he listed as; street smartness, native intelligence, high popularity rating, capable, competence and exemplary character in the true spirit and culture of the typical Yoruba Omoluabi.

Dr. Fayemi was also categorical on that occasion that his successor must, of necessity, believe in his administration’s mission and vision. None of these to me is objectionable.

But for me, as I barely knew those who were close or dear to Dr. John Kayode Fayemi’s political heart and permutation.

I could hardly figure out who truly and genuinely fits the picture my friend and darling governor had picturesquely projected in answering my question.

Of course, many of his associates and aides, I later learnt, used every opportunity to market themselves before JFK as the ideal person for the job.

AS providence would have it, the least heard name by me in the person of Mr Abayomi Abiodun Oyebanji, as known as BAO, fits the characterisation of JKF Successor!

Based on his experience, intellect and unassuming and ever effervescent nature and of course, the fact that he knows Ekiti politics and politriks inside-out.

I took it for granted that we already had a great Ekiti man in-waiting as governor and heir apparent to Governor John Kayode Fayemi, all things being equal.

Without a doubt, a little investigation by me as a journalist of over 35 years clearly revealed to me the hidden treasures in Governor Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji as a great leader and a game-changer that Ekiti State had long been yearning for.

I joined my belief and prayers with other Ekiti Ketes of great minds that this relatively unknown and unassuming and yet not flamboyant Ekiti man to the core should eventually emerge as the governor of Ekiti state.

As God, the great diviner, would want it, BAO eventually won the June 2022 gubernatorial election.

Interestingly,  in the process took the mantle after Dr. John Kayode Fayemi in a solemn, calm and characteristically quiet and convivial atmosphere.

This was devoid of tantrums and undue political boisterousness and other rascally shenanigans that offend any opposition politician’s sensibilities.

I was there live to witness BAO’s uncommon humility, candour and inspiring humanity upon ascending the throne.

The experienced leader was truly a study in servant leadership and unpretentious about the Midas touch awaiting governance in the state.

His cabinet members hit targets and implemented policies that improved welfare and development across the state, from roads to education and agriculture.

Three years later, I can say without any contradiction that Governor Oyebanji has proved his mettle as a purposeful leader more than a million times.

He has genuinely shown and demonstrated that he is not only committed to developing Ekiti but also committed to promoting peace and unity.

The first thing that impressed me was the way he hit the ground running immediately and set on to build on the development strides and legacy projects of his predecessors.

It included those who were not from his political party. In Oyebanji, Ekitis have seen in practical terms the benefits of continuity in government as witnessed in Lagos State.

Perhaps the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport, which was established by the Governor Kayode Fayemi administration, would have become an object of ridicule and an abandoned project today.

So, were it not to the credit of exemplary leadership and political sagacity of the current governor, who was bold and courageous to continue from where our forward-looking former Governor finished.

Today, the airport project, which some nay-sayers have questioned its rationale, has become the pride and cynosure of all eyes in Ekiti and indeed, Nigerians in general.

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