Oyebanji: I seek advice from ex-Ekiti governors — they’re my mentors

Biodun Oyebanji, governor of Ekiti, says he maintains a close relationship with all former governors of the state and seeks their counsel when confronted with serious challenges.

Speaking in an interview aired on TVC on Sunday, Oyebanji said unity among political leaders in Ekiti has helped drive the state’s development.

“A divided people cannot develop. The kind of development you have seen in Ekiti state in the last two and a half years is because we are all reading from the same book, we are working together, there is no tension amongst all the political gladiators,” he said.

Oyebanji said he made a conscious decision to govern beyond party lines when he assumed office.

“So, first thing I did when I became governor is to make a pledge that I am the governor of Ekiti state, not the governor of a political party,” he said.

“I decided within me to reach out to those that contested with me, and graciously all of them are now in sync with me.”

The governor said he draws from the experiences of his predecessors, whom he described as mentors.

“I have Governor Adebayo, I have Governor Fayemi, I have Governor Oni, so I see myself as being blessed with these former governors,” he said.

“They have more experience in governance than I do. They have their strengths and weaknesses.

“So when I’m confronted with any serious issue, I know when to call Governor Segun Oni and ask, ‘Oga, what will you do in this situation?’ I know when to call Governor Fayose, I know when to call Fayemi, I know when to call Adebayo.

“If I don’t have a relationship with them, I won’t be able to pick my phone and call them. I am extremely grateful to all of them, you know, for their mentorship, for their support.”

Oyebanji said former Kayode Fayemi left him a handwritten note when he assumed office.

“When I became governor, (former) Governor Fayemi wrote me a letter, a personal letter. He dropped it on my table,” he said.

“The first time I got to the office, I read the letter and he told me, ‘Don’t inherit my enemies. Reach out to them. As long as you can, be at peace with them’.”

He described the message as “deep” and “loaded”.

Oyebanji said working closely with two former governors taught him valuable leadership lessons.

“I have worked with two governors and I have seen them making mistakes and I have seen them facing the consequences,” he said.

He added that Ekiti’s cultural homogeneity is an asset that should not be undermined by political division.

“Ekiti state is the only homogeneous state in this country. All of us, we are Ekiti, we speak same language, we have the same culture, we have everything. To me, that is an asset,” he said.

The governor said his administration is implementing a 30-year development plan handed to him by Fayemi, adding that governance must be inclusive to truly benefit the people.

“If you are not inclusive in nature, the people will suffer,” he said.

“The leaders will not take any of the bullets. Leaders will be okay and their families, but the people that have surrendered their mandates to you will suffer.”