The activities revolving around Ekiti 2022 Governorship election have continued to gather momentum. Expectedly, a good number of politicians with their supporters have left their comfort zones. Many have also thrown their hats into the ring and have begun evangelistic conversion and discipleship of minions. “Here I am, send me” has now become the anthem of politicians in the state. The end point for these political pugilists is to become the candidate of their respective political parties.
Following the review of the 25 years of Ekiti State’s existence on Thursday 28 Oct. 2021 by the highly respected elder statesman and one of the active
founders of Ekiti State, Aare Afe Babalola, one cannot but agree without any modicum of doubt with his position, that the state is indeed in a critical time.
Babalola incandescently lamented and the Punch Newspaper of the said date captured it thus, “Twenty-five years after its creation, Ekiti State remains landlocked, motorway-locked, airport-locked, railway-locked, industry-locked and power-locked, a development which adversely affects economic development in the state.” The Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Biodun Oyebanji affirmed that: “We have left Egypt, but not in our Jerusalem yet…” Suffice to say that Ekiti is still wobbling and fumbling on its journey from Egypt to the Promised Land.
The question at this point, therefore, is who would take the state out of the doldrums? Knowing full well that the choice we make collectively today will determine the side of history we will belong in the no distant future, the question of who should become the governor has continued to haunt the minds of genuine patriots, progressives and truly democratic forces in Ekiti both at home and in the diaspora.
At this critical time in the state’s political history, a dispassionate and honest observer will agree that this salvationary enterprise requires a Moses. Not just a Moses but a fearless, highly imaginative, quick-witted, integrity driven fellow who is distinguished by a proven record of capacity for wealth creation. He must have a comprehensive understanding of governance as a participatory process with an effective and strong inclination for the formulation of better policies for the people .
Who then could that be? The record has shown that 17 aspirants are already jostling for the governorship ticket within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Three out of these 17 are from Ekiti South Senatorial District; a district with the highest numerical strength but known to have been marginalized and shut out of power since the beginning of the democratic dispensation. Would they continue to play the second fiddle? Well, the choice is for them to make. It is important to remind them, however, that power is not served a la carte. Those who feel shut out of power must plan strategies for its acquisition.
The ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) remains quiet on the choice of its candidate. But, it is generally believed that Gov. Kayode Fayemi would not appear the second time and murder the reincarnated South’s vociferous demand for the plum seat of governorship.
Concerning “Power Sharing on Zonal Basis” as enshrined and articulated in Clause C page 8 of The Blue Print for Ekiti State signed and published in January 1995, by the Committee for the creation of Ekiti State; Chief Deji Fasuan, Hon. Biodun Oyebanji and a host of other members, Gov. Kayode Fayemi, and APC stakeholders will look into this and give preference to South Senatorial District to produce the governor this time around.
In the face of the present moribund economy and diminished federal allocation to States, Ekiti needs a firm leader with character, vision, capacity, and competence that can create wealth and manage the resources of the state efficiently and effectively in a manner that the dreams of its founding fathers could come to reality.
Within and outside his cabinet, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has a good number of competent hands with towering credentials that can inherit the double portion of his anointing and lead Ekiti to a pedestal of excellence.
If Dr. Ayodele Fayose and Engr Segun Oni are sincere and genuine in their mission for better Ekiti, then, they should stop sacrificing the collective interest of Ekiti on the altar of self interest.
They need to mend fences, shift their mindsets from the ego-system awareness, bury every inane ambition, reach a consensus, and collectively throw their support behind any aspirant from South Senatorial District with appealing credentials to create an overarching influence over the divisive fissiparous tendencies threatening the viability of the Peoples Democratic Party.
The Bible says: “A wise man will hear and will increase learning and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsel”.
Femi A. Stephen writes from Abuja.