Oyebanji Courting Ekiti’s Ex-governors to Strengthen Governance

Governor Biodun Oyebanji regularly visits his predecessors. He doesn’t just call; he shows up at their doors, seeking advice. In Nigerian politics, this is less common courtesy than a quiet revolution.

Since taking office in 2022, Oyebanji has pulled off a surprising feat. He has won the full backing of every living former Ekiti governor for his 2026 re-election bid. The lineup includes opposition leader Ayo Fayose, who now says he supports him “without apology.”

His secret is a deliberate style he calls “Omoluabi,” a Yoruba ideal stressing good character. He completed projects started by his predecessor, Kayode Fayemi, like the state airport. He consults the former leaders constantly, treating them as a council of elders rather than rivals.

The endorsements are potent. Otunba Niyi Adebayo praises his diligence. Segun Oni calls his leadership a model. Fayemi, his political mentor, goes further, calling Oyebanji his “greatest achievement.” This united front is a powerful shield against political challengers.

Of course, whispers follow. Some critics suggest loyalties are secured with more than respect, hinting at shared benefits. Oyebanji waves this away. The peace and progress in the state, he says, are proof enough of a shared purpose.

His history explains the tactic. Oyebanji was part of the committee that created Ekiti State in 1994. He served as an adviser to its first governor. He knows the state’s political family tree by heart, and now he’s mending its broken branches.

The result is a new kind of political peace in Ekiti. By honouring the past, Oyebanji has not been overshadowed by it. He has, instead, made himself the central pillar holding the entire structure together. In a game of thrones, he has built a roundtable.