As the Ekiti governorship primary election scheduled for Monday, 27 October 2025 approaches, New Daily Prime spoke with Yinka Oyebode, Special Adviser on Media to the Ekiti State Governor, about the performance of Governor Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji, the fifth elected governor of the state, over the past three years.
How has the journey been so far for Governor Oyebanji over the past 36 months?
The journey has been smooth, thanks to the support and goodwill of the Ekiti people. From the beginning, the Governor made the people the centre of his administration. They do not just participate but drive the development process, and this has encouraged government to do even more. Everything the government does has an aspect of people’s involvement, and they are not only included but are central to decision-making.
On infrastructure, the government has performed very well. Projects can be found across the state, and completed ones have been handed over to the people. Community leaders claim ownership because they are involved in supervision and review, and they also have opportunities to report directly to the Governor.
The Governor meets with them annually, while district-level engagements are held quarterly to discuss priority projects and infrastructure needs. Development in Ekiti has always been for the people and with the people.
What are the focus areas of this administration?
The government started with six focus areas. These are: Job Creation, Health and Education, Human Capital Development, Infrastructure Development, Industrialization, and Arts, Culture and Tourism.
Can you be more specific about the achievements of this administration?
Beyond good governance, this administration has recorded remarkable achievements across all sectors. In security, the government has strengthened multi-level policing by providing logistics, technology, and mobility to agencies such as Amotekun, the Peace Corps, and the Agro Marshal Corps. The Agro Marshal Corps secures farms and produces, while the Peace Corps provides intelligence support in towns. Amotekun has been fully integrated into the state wage structure. These measures have reduced kidnapping and banditry, creating a more peaceful environment that has attracted investment and boosted tourism.
On job creation and youth empowerment, more than 1,000 teachers have been recruited, in addition to employment in the health and civil service sectors. Young people are also benefiting from agricultural, ICT, and entrepreneurship programmes. The government has backed technical education by providing training, equipment, loans, and guaranteed purchase of farm produce. This support is encouraging industrialisation and self-reliance, giving youths real choices, whether in agriculture, ICT, or other sectors.
Agriculture remains a top priority for the administration. More than 5,000 youths are engaged through government-backed clusters in partnership with the private sector and consultants, receiving mentorship and close monitoring to ensure growth. The support package is wide-ranging from seedlings and extension services to subsidised land clearing and guaranteed market access. At harvest, major buyers are invited to purchase produce, turning farming into a viable, profitable venture that is attracting a new generation of young farmers.
ICT has also received attention with the creation of the Ekiti State Knowledge Zone, which connects young people with global opportunities. In addition, ICT hubs provide training and platforms where citizens can acquire digital skills and showcase their talent.
Healthcare delivery has been a major focus. In the past three years, about 150 Primary Health Care Centres have been rehabilitated and equipped, with the goal of ensuring at least one functional centre in every ward. These facilities are staffed and supported with incentives to encourage usage. The government provides free maternal healthcare for pregnant women, free malaria treatment for children under five, and free treatment for senior citizens, people with disabilities, and sickle-cell patients. Referrals from primary health centres to general or teaching hospitals are also treated free of charge.
Out of the 21 general hospitals in Ekiti State, 11 have been rehabilitated, seven fully modernised, and four are at different stages of completion. The Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital in Ado Ekiti has also been upgraded with new equipment, including a mammogram machine, making it one of the few hospitals in Nigeria to offer affordable cancer screening. The facility has further been expanded with 80 additional beds.
What is the political climate like in Ekiti State?
It is remarkably peaceful. Governor Oyebanji has fostered unity by reaching across party lines and working closely with traditional institutions and communities. Recently, all living former governors stood with him, a strong symbol of harmony in the state. While opposition exists, it is minimal, as most stakeholders are united in their commitment to peace and development.
Many citizens, including celebrities, are complaining that Ekiti State does not have good roads. Is that true?
Roads in Nigeria are classified into three categories: federal roads, state roads, and local government roads. A state government can only be judged by the condition of its own roads.
In Ekiti State, there are six federal roads, all of which are major routes that people rely on daily. Out of these, the Federal Government has awarded contracts for three, but the projects are awaiting mobilisation funds from the accountant-General.
Meanwhile, the state government took the initiative to reconstruct one, the Ado–Iworoko road at a cost of ₦20 billion, which is now due for commissioning. The government has also begun paying compensation to families whose property was destroyed along the Ado-Ekiti and Ikere road. Over ₦400 million has been paid toward this in the last three years.
Over 10 years ago, states could apply for reimbursement after completing federal roads, but that policy no longer exists. Today, if a state takes on a federal project, there is no hope of repayment.
The state government is currently undertaking 35 road projects across Ekiti, with several already completed and others still under construction.
People should remember that the state has limited resources and cannot simply take over federal roads without an agreement. That is the challenge we face, and it is important that roads are not politicised.
To expand access, the state has also partnered with the World Bank to complete key roads leading to markets. So far, 18 such roads, covering nearly 18 kilometres, are under construction. The aim is to ensure that all roads leading to farms and markets are properly fixed.
Very often, when citizens complain about the state of roads, they are referring to federal roads, which are outside state control. The state government remains focused on its own roads, especially those linking farms to markets. For federal projects, Ekiti plays a collaborative role by paying compensation and liaising with contractors, but funding and execution remain the responsibility of the Federal Government.
In one or two sentences, what can you say about the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu?
President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a master planner, a democrat par excellence, and truly God-sent at this critical period. He is doing a lot for the country, making significant funds available to states, including Ekiti, which has put them to good use. Kudos to him.
What can you say about the stance of former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who has openly criticised Federal Government policies multiple times? Could it be that he is not sincere in his comments, or that President Tinubu is not doing enough?
I won’t be able to comment directly on that. What I can say is that President Tinubu is doing a lot. However, Governor Kayode Fayemi has his own reasons for doing so, and if you observe closely, you’ll notice that he often criticises the party more than President Bola Ahmed Tinubu himself.
Thank you once again. We look forward to speaking with you in the future.
It’s my pleasure. I will always make myself available.
