A word for the governor Oyebanji, by Inhabitun Komolafe

With the electoral date of the Governor of the Ekiti State of 2026, the phase is now ready. The key issue is that the Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, aka Bao, the Governor in Biodun Abayomi, of the All Progressives Congress (APC) seems ready to win without opposition. It is very similar to a candidate in a parliamentary system that is “returned without opposition” because of the lack of challengers.

Currently, the state of Ekiti lacks a recognizable opposition, which is unfortunate, given its long -standing attention and very admitted to the development of human capital. It would be a surprising undertaking if some recognizable opposition could merge in the coming months to give a race up close to the governor. While politics is notoriously unpredictable, with events that can quickly move the landscape, the current perspective suggests that a turning point is unlikely.

In the electrifying game of the governance of Ekiti, all the chips are, as a diagnostics today, firmly in the hands of Oyebanji. Many people think that this is deservedly like this, and those who think that so many members do not include APC and those not affiliated with partisan acrimony. With the elections of the governor of 20 June 2026 on the horizon, it therefore seems unlikely that the competition proves to be a success of Nollywood.

Mien calm and Bao’s arrangement have undoubtedly smoothed his path to the re -election. His leadership style was characterized by a pragmatic approach that balances idealism with the practical realities of governance. In many ways, his approach to governance issues has a surprising similarity with the often cited philosophy of President Theodore Roosevelt to “speak gently and transport a great stick”.

By gestoring this “big stick” with judgment, the politician consumed of Ikogosi, born from the state of Ekiti, made impactful interventions without resorting to force or unnecessarily trampling on the toes. A first example is its initiative to establish or, so to speak, Committee of raw materials and exchanges in the agricultural sector. This initiative portrays a cunning thought and strategic acumen.

The establishment of goods advice in the state of Ekiti is ready to be a move that moves the paradigm. By introducing minimal guarantees on the prices of agricultural gate, storage structures and potentially cold systems in urban markets, these cards have the potential to catalyze a transformative impact on agricultural productivity. Under Oyebanji’s leadership, critical thinking is translated into transformative practice, thus producing tangible benefits for the state.

In his almost three years in charge, Oyebanji has had a significant impact on the state of Ekiti. The key results include the guarantee of an AFDB Fund of 80 million dollars for the Ekiti Knowledge Zone project (Ekz), enhancing MSME with subsidies and credit and restoration of electricity to over 20 communities.

Based on these initiatives, his administration has recruited 1,300 primary school teachers, invested n14 billion N for renovation and construction of 203 public schools and paid N546.9 million Wassce exam commissions for 16,269 students. The health facilities have been updated and infrastructure projects have been undertaken such as the construction of roads and the control of floods.

Oyebanji has also eliminated salary backgrounds, strengthened safety and favored a peaceful political climate. The population responded positively to the governor’s initiatives. This positive feeling is profound, without signs of widespread discontent or significant protests against government policies. In a state that, in a certain period, has experienced flashes of turbulence, Bao’s leadership marked a remarkable turnaround.

In an era marked by performative policy, Oyebanji’s commitment to real leadership has shown the effectiveness of the substance compared to the show. Given its impressive experience, the governor’s trajectory suggests a strong probability of re -election, making the notion of “opposition” apparently insignificant since their efforts seem useless against its governance paradigm. A properly conducted opinion survey – and there should be one – most likely would position its evaluations of approval above the 60%brand, underlining the appreciation of the electorate for its commitment for substantial governance.

Once again, the narrative that is taking place of the state policy of Ekiti presents a compelling enigma. The ability of the opposition to merge and mount a challenge against the silently effective governance of Oyebanji will be a significant proof of their courage. Can they transcend their internal cracks and capitalize on the unpredictability of politics to orchestrate an extraordinary reversal of fortunes? If they receive a miracle, it will be a great success, which would highlight the intrinsic uncertainties of the democratic processes.

To date, conventional wisdom is that Oyebanji, with constant earnings, is the house of a clear and decisive victory. However, he would do well to resist the complacency and continue to work tirelessly to guarantee his victory and fulfill his leadership responsibilities. Complacency can be a treacherous path and maintaining the momentum is crucial.

The meetings of the Bao town hall in the senatorial districts have been effective and continue this commitment with people will be the key to its success. The governor must continue to interact with people, listen to their complaints, take their questions and provide solutions to their problems. It should even go up to institutionalize meetings in radio and television stations.

The example of Bill Clinton, who was still firing the executive orders of minutes on the expiry of his mandate as 42th President of the United States, illustrates the importance of prolonged effort. Even with a weak opposition, Oyebanji must remain vigilant, since the attention interval of the electorate is short -lived. Continuously highlighting his successes and facing people’s concerns, he can build a solid base for his leadership.

For those who care to know, the media strategy of Oyebanji has been exemplary; And his media team has shown an innovative thought and a profound understanding of the governor’s vision. In contact, the team raised the narration of governance and has demonstrated the power of strategic communication.

However, the narrative of a leader must be continually strengthened to keep up with the change of public opinion. In other words, there is room for a public presentation amplified of the governor’s results, especially with the approach of 2026. It cannot be sufficient, but the simple sufficiency can be problematic.

The experience of the former United Kingdom Prime Minister John Major is a precious lesson. Despite his impressive performance in office. As Niccolò Machiavelli observed, politics depends on constant reminders. The major lost the re -election against Tony Blair due to ineffective communication. Oyebanji would benefit from constantly telling the stories of his impact initiatives. He must make sure they remain at the forefront of public speech.

The stories of Mko Abiola and President Bola Tinubu also speak of the profound impact of the media on historical memory and on leadership narratives. While the inheritance of Abiola lasts despite being “the president who has never ruled”, the strategic presence of the media of Tinubu, even after having left the position as governor of the state of Lagos in 2007, strengthened his influence. Oyebanji can draw valuable lessons from these examples, in particular to exploit an effective media distribution to encourage public trust.

In this context, recent relationships without the foundations of the alleged bonds of the governor with the African democratic congress (ADC) embody the harmful politician who often emerges during critical periods. Since these statements aim to lead a wedge between the governor and the president, the need for Oyebanji of coherent and engaging media interactions with the public has never been more urgent.

In politics, visibility is crucial and the involvement of the proactive media can make a difference. It doesn’t matter how much an acceptable man can be in the eyes of the people, every authentic leader has adversaries lurking in the shadows. Even at home, there may be sabotitioners, discontent or others, which often motivated by grievances or personal disaffection – try to undermine efforts or create discord.

Just as Neemia met Sanballat and Tobias, Oyebanji could face unexpected challengers. These opponents can be relentless, with professional propagandists able to create significant problems. Therefore, the Guardians must remain vigilant while the governor focuses on reasonable infrastructures and policies. The defensive and offensive strategies must be proactive to counter the disinformation and distractions that will probably arise, including false statements on the alleged passage of Bao to the ADC.

May the lamb of God, who removes the sin of the world, grants peace in Nigeria!

*Komolafe wrote from Ijebu-Jesa, state of Osun, Nigeria ([email protected]; 08033614419 – SMS only)

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