Dr. Abejide B. Olusegun
In a recent interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today, former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi remarked, “Tinubu means well, but intention is not enough.” While constructive criticism is a hallmark of democracy, his statement reeks of calculated hypocrisy and self-serving opportunism. Instead of making sweeping generalizations using “we” to mask his agenda, Fayemi should reflect deeply on his performance as a two-term governor of Ekiti State. Charity, as the saying goes, begins at home.
Fayemi’s remarks to the Tinubu administration are nothing short of insulting, and it is difficult to believe they were not deliberately intended to provoke. It is appalling to witness a man with his political stench pointing fingers at others. His comments align with the familiar script of political betrayals and backroom deals, a sign that he is positioning himself as a possible contender in the 2027 elections, likely doing the bidding of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
But why is he suddenly apologizing now? Is he seeking another opportunity to reinvent himself, playing on the Yoruba political concept of Oye Idile—which implies that only a certain few are fit to lead while others remain unworthy? If that is his intent, he should keep his apology, as Nigerians, particularly the people of Ekiti, have not forgotten his failures.
Fayemi belongs to the category of politicians who believe that if they are not in power, no one else can govern effectively. He rarely acknowledges policies or initiatives superior to his own, dismissing all forms of reform that do not originate from him. This arrogance is precisely why Ekiti is not benefiting from the legacies of his tenure. Where are the transformative policies on agriculture, industry, tourism, and education that he boasted about while in office? If they were indeed impactful, why is the state still struggling with underdevelopment?
A simple financial calculation exposes Fayemi’s gross mismanagement of resources. If an individual invests ₦100 million in a fixed deposit account for one year, the return would be ₦20 million in interest. Now, consider ₦31 billion—the amount Fayemi sank into an incomplete Cargo Airport project—sitting idle and unfinished for over six years. The only planes that have landed at this ghost airport are Air Force aircraft and one flight carrying the Minister of Aviation. This colossal waste reflects the corruption and recklessness that defined Fayemi’s administration.
Last week, Fayemi was seen in the company of Atiku Abubakar and Nasir El-Rufai, joining the desperate attempt to revive the struggling PDP in a bid to wrest power from President Tinubu in 2027. This is the same Tinubu who played a pivotal role in his political ascension. How quickly he forgets loyalty when his ambitions come into play. Fayemi, and those like him, bear a significant share of the blame for the economic hardship and instability in Nigeria. They ruled irresponsibly, drained state coffers, and left behind a mess that President Tinubu is now trying to clean up.
The Cargo Airport debacle was a glaring example of misplaced priorities. Ekiti, a state lacking an industrial base, did not need an airport when there were more pressing developmental issues to tackle. Despite strong opposition from experts and citizens, Fayemi insisted on the project for reasons beyond public interest, effectively turning it into another financial black hole. It remains a wasteful monument of failed leadership, a symbol of mismanagement, and an economic liability.
Fayemi’s hypocrisy is further highlighted by his newfound criticism of the Tinubu administration. Where was this moral compass when he served under the chaotic Buhari regime? Under Buhari, Nigeria’s economy crumbled, insecurity soared, and governance collapsed into a state of near paralysis. Yet, Fayemi never uttered a single word of opposition because he was part of the same failed government. Now that he is out of the political structure, he suddenly remembers to talk about good governance.
Only unserious individuals and political scavengers would take Fayemi seriously. When he was governor, he became a political dictator. He ruled Ekiti with an iron fist, silencing opposition voices and ensuring that his word was law. Under his administration, anyone who dared to criticize his policies faced direct intimidation from the state police command and the RRS, which functioned as his militia. More recently, he disrespected Chief Afe Babalola, the revered legal luminary, after Babalola publicly exposed some of his administrative wrongdoings.
Ekiti’s current governor, Biodun Oyebanji (BAO), is not exempt from criticism. He has been part of the Ekiti political machinery for over a decade, serving under various administrations, including Fayemi and Fayose. He should not be repeating their mistakes. Unlike a newcomer, he has had the advantage of witnessing the weaknesses of past governments and should have used that knowledge to chart a better course for the state.
Despite being affiliated with the ruling APC, he has failed to take advantage of the federal government’s agricultural initiatives. President Tinubu has consistently advised governors to prioritize agriculture and food production, yet BAO has failed to act decisively. He has overlooked pressing security challenges, choosing instead to focus on political theatrics, such as frequent visits to the National Assembly as if he were elected as a federal legislator, not a state governor.
In any functional administration, the primary focus should be addressing insecurity while simultaneously investing in agriculture. Supporting existing cooperative societies, ensuring government-backed purchases of agricultural produce, and creating a sustainable farming industry should be top priorities. However, instead of meaningful investment, BAO has followed in Fayemi’s footsteps, mismanaging state funds by purchasing luxury cars for transportation schemes and opening so-called empowerment shops for his former political associates. These programs add nothing to the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR).
Since the beginning of BAO’s administration, food production in Ekiti has declined drastically. A forward-thinking leader would have realized that agriculture remains one of the most viable economic pathways for the state. It offers the potential to generate revenue, provide employment opportunities, and increase farmer productivity. Yet, there has been no strategic investment in mechanized farming. The simple question remains: how many tractors has he purchased since taking office?
Young people will never return to farming when the government prioritizes political thuggery over economic empowerment. The worsening insecurity in Ekiti has made rural farming unsafe, with farmers frequently attacked by criminals. Instead of deploying security forces to protect these agricultural hubs, the state wastes resources on non-essential projects.
Like its predecessors, BAO has also squandered over 20 billion naira on the cargo airport, an infrastructure that serves no economic purpose in a state still struggling with poor road networks and unreliable transportation services. The lack of economic foresight is disturbing, and if unchecked, Ekiti will remain in a cycle of misgovernance and wasted potential.
The truth is that Ekiti does not need more political deception. It needs leaders with sincerity of purpose. The constant recycling of the same politicians, under different guises, has led to stagnation rather than progress. The focus should not be on party affiliations or personal ambitions but on the collective well-being of Ekiti’s people.
If Ekiti must reclaim its lost glory, leaders must abandon selfish interests and work towards true development. The people must also demand accountability instead of falling for the same recycled political tricks. Fayemi’s attempts to rebrand himself as a political savior must be rejected. The state cannot afford another cycle of waste and misgovernance.
What Ekiti truly needs is a leadership revolution—one that prioritizes good governance over political survival. The people must recognize that progress will not come from those who have repeatedly failed them. Ekiti’s future must be built on vision, integrity, and a genuine commitment to growth.
The time for political games is over. Ekiti must rise to its true potential. Ekiti deserves better.
Dear readers, we really need your support to keep on serving you with authoritative, truthful, and juicy stories everyday. For your support, please reach out to the editor @gavelinternational66@gmail.com