A word for Governor Oyebanji

With the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election date set, the stage is now ready. The key issue is that incumbent Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, aka BAO, of the All Progressives Congress (APC) appears poised to win unopposed. It is much like a candidate in a parliamentary system who is “returned unopposed” due to a lack of challengers.

- BY ABIODUN KOMOLAFE

Currently, Ekiti State lacks a discernible opposition, which is unfortunate, given its longstanding and much-admired focus on human capital development. It would be an astonishing feat if any discernible opposition could coalesce in the coming months to give the governor a close run. While politics is notoriously unpredictable, with events capable of shifting the landscape rapidly, the current outlook suggests that a game-changer is unlikely.

In the thrilling game of Ekiti governance, all the chips are, as of today's diagnostics, firmly in Oyebanji's hands. Many people think that this is deservedly so, and those who think so include many non-APC members as well as those unaffiliated to partisan acrimony. With the June 20, 2026, governorship election on the horizon, it therefore seems improbable that the contest will turn out to be a Nollywood blockbuster.

BAO's calm mien and disposition has undoubtedly smoothed his path to reelection. His leadership style has been characterized by a pragmatic approach which balances idealism with the practical realities of governance. In many ways, his approach to issues of governance bears a striking resemblance to President Theodore Roosevelt's often-quoted philosophy of "speaking softly and carrying a big stick."

By wielding this “big stick” judiciously, the Ikogosi, Ekiti State-born consummate politician has made impactful interventions without resorting to force or unnecessarily stepping on toes. A prime example is his initiative to establish, or, revive, as it were, commodity boards and exchanges in the agriculture sector. This initiative portrays astute thinking and strategic acumen.

The establishment of commodity boards in Ekiti State is poised to be a paradigm-shifting move. By introducing minimum farm gate price guarantees, storage facilities, and potentially cold storage facilities in urban markets, these boards have the potential to catalyze a transformative impact on farm productivity.