By DAVE Agboola
Tomorrow, Ekiti State marches to the ballot in what promises to be a watershed moment. For years, the state has been haunted by a peculiar jinx—governors rarely secure a second term. But Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO) enters this contest with momentum, credibility, and delivery on his side. The odds are not shaped by sentiment, but by the undeniable record of a leader who turned promises into reality.
From the very first day in office, Oyebanji anchored his administration on a six-point agenda that touched every sector. Roads were built, not just announced. The Ado–Iworoko–Ifaki Federal Road now hums with commerce, while the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport has opened the state to trade and tourism. Farmers have been empowered through cluster farming initiatives, youths have been drawn into commercial agriculture, and food inflation has been kept at bay. These are not abstract achievements—they are tangible dividends of democracy reaching the grassroots.
The youth, often restless and skeptical, have found renewed hope. Through the Ekiti Youth Economic Empowerment Programme (E-YEEP), thousands have received grants, vocational training, and business support. Schools are being renovated, teachers retrained, and digital learning tools deployed. This is not tokenism—it is a deliberate investment in human capital, positioning Ekiti for a knowledge-driven future.
Healthcare has not been left behind. Primary health centers across the state have been revitalized, free medical services have reached thousands, and access to care has expanded. Governance itself has been redefined—transparent budgets, fiscal responsibility, and civil service reform have restored public trust. Above all, Oyebanji has insisted on peace, urging stakeholders to uphold fairness and decorum in the electoral process.
For the very first time, Ekiti’s voter base has swelled to over 1.06 million registered voters, with 1,028,929 PVCs collected—97.1% of eligible voters. This unprecedented figure signals a new era of civic engagement, showing that Ekitiketes are ready to take ownership of their democracy like never before.
Ekiti’s political history has been unforgiving to incumbents, but Oyebanji’s trajectory is different. His inclusive leadership style—bringing together students, farmers, artisans, and professionals—has created a broad coalition of support. His alignment with the Federal Government under President Tinubu further strengthens continuity. As Vice President Kashim Shettima aptly noted, continuity under Oyebanji is “an investment in peace, progress, and prosperity.”
Tomorrow’s election is not just about party loyalty—it is a referendum on delivery. Roads built, jobs created, farmers empowered, schools revitalized, healthcare expanded, peace sustained. These are the reasons the odds tilt heavily in Oyebanji’s favour as he seeks to break the second-term curse.
And to the people of Ekiti, the call is clear: consolidate on these achievements. Come out in your numbers, exercise your civic duty, and ensure that the progress already made does not falter. The mandate you affirm tomorrow will determine whether the roads continue to expand, the youths continue to thrive, the farmers continue to prosper, and the peace continues to hold.
Ekiti stands at the threshold of history. If the people affirm BAO’s mandate, it will be because promises made were promises delivered.
•Agboola writes from Lagos State
