Oyebanji my greatest achievement, says Fayemi

Former Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has described the incumbent governor, Biodun Oyebanji, as his greatest achievement.

He lauded the governor’s outstanding performance, visionary leadership and commitment to continuity in governance.

Fayemi gave the commendation at Ijelu-Ekiti during the inauguration of Itapa–Ijelu–Omu Road, one of the numerous projects completed by the Oyebanji administration as part of activities marking its third anniversary.

The ex-governor expressed delight that his successor had not only built on his administration’s legacy, but had also surpassed expectations in the delivery of good governance.

“Absolutely, he is my greatest achievement. I have my own imperfections, but those imperfections he has managed to correct or reduce. God has indeed been kind to us in Ekiti by blessing us with a governor who is focused on transformation rather than unnecessary politicking at the expense of development.”

The former governor said the success of the Oyebanji administration validated his belief in purposeful and people-centred leadership, adding that the governor’s track record within three years justified the decision of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the people of Ekiti to rally behind him for the 2026 governorship election.

Fayemi praised Oyebanji for prioritising infrastructure development, particularly road building and rehabilitation, which, according to him, had boosted commerce, improved connectivity and eased transportation across the state.

He said the new roads built and inaugurated under the Oyebanji government were strategic to Ekiti’s economic growth, linking key agricultural zones, business communities and tourism corridors to major urban centres.

“I want to thank our governor for not disappointing us and for holding firmly to his faith in God and commitment to truth. He has delivered on the task of governing Ekiti and is leaving it better than we left it.

“We have every reason to be proud of him and no reason to abandon him.”

Highlighting the governor’s performance, Fayemi listed several roads initiated by his administration but completed by Oyebanji, including Itapa–Ijelu–Omu, Omisanjana–Atlas, Agric Olope–Moferere, Ijurin–Ayegunle, GRA Third Extension, Ikole–Ara–Isinbode, and Ikere–Ilawe roads, among others.

Oyebanji thanked his predecessor for laying the solid foundation upon which his administration had continued to build.

He said the achievements recorded so far were the result of collective efforts of successive administrations united by a common vision for a prosperous Ekiti.

The governor described the event as a demonstration of the gains of continuity in governance, stressing that development became faster when leaders built on the legacies of their predecessors, rather than abandoned them.

Oyebanji thanked Fayemi for breaking the jinx of discontinuity that had hindered Ekiti’s progress since its creation, noting that all road projects initiated by the previous administration, but left unfinished, had been completed.

“I bless God for today. What is happening here speaks to what Ekiti has lost over the years due to lack of continuity. If we had been building on each other’s work since the days of Otunba Niyi Adebayo, our state would have gone far. I thank Dr. Fayemi for breaking that jinx, and I’m proud that nearly all the projects he started are now completed.”

The Owajumu of Omu Kingdom, Oba Adeoye Joseph; retired Anglican Bishop, Rev’d Michael Ipinmoye and National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Chairman, Chief Falope Joseph, lauded Governor Oyebanji’s dedication to rural and infrastructure development.

They described the project as a lifeline that would ease movement, boost commerce and improve access to health care and education.