The recent Supreme Court verdict upholding the Governorship election of Ayo Fayose, has brought Ekiti state to the fore of National news, particularly with respect to political party dynamics, APC and PDP in Ekiti, the people’s choice, opposition politics, democratic governance and public services delivery and the people’s perception of what may stand as dividends of democracy.
As a background, Ekiti is the most homogenous of tribes that make up the Yoruba nation and as a result of this the Ekiti-man/woman has an entire universe to themselves which make them protective, proud and persistent people – some will say stubborn. At times these great attributes become their undoing in a modern world of diversity and adaptation.
This, I believe, may help explain why in reality and in spite of – the much vaunted accomplished human resources from Ekiti state, the very high literacy level, Ekiti men and women of learning and capacity, their renown professors and professionals – the state remains the poorest state in the South West of Nigeria. It is poorest in terms of both domestic and external Investments and Productivity, Income per Capita, Gross Sub-National Product, natural resources development, Federal Allocation etc. The fact that the state is geographically landlocked or has a dearth of Federal infrastructure is not in my view an excuse.
The problem is the social disharmony caused by uncontrolled or mis-managed shifts from self-confidence to being self-opinionated. Imagine the effect of this conflict in a small but dynamic rural enclave as Ekiti.
Ekiti is as well cultured as the rest of Yorubaland , but there is a disconnection between the Ekiti elite, (majority of whom are non-residential or diaspora Ekiti) and the local intelligentsia, such as teachers and civil servants is huge, not excluding the youth, the unemployed, peasantry and indigenous folk.
The elite appear to have failed to realize that when dealing or offering services to a cultured people, no matter how poor they may be, it is better to do things ‘with’ the people rather than do things ‘for’ people. It is more respectful and it is more dignifying.
Many Ekiti elite are perceived to talk down at indigenous folk and so even when in need, such folks refuse to accept a favor or a helping hand from such elite because the giver is condescending, that is what self-pride gives you the strength to do, (a ko iwosi) whether wise of foolish. This is what I believe formed the basis of the rejection of Kayode Fayemi for a second term, in preference for Ayo Fayose. Fayose connected and Fayemi did not, so even if Fayemi was serving caviar, the people were ready to reject it and instead drink ga’ari with Fayose.
It is however not simply about obtaining political power and control of governance, it is what you do with it that matters and that is why Ekiti People must think deeply about where they need to be heading, as well as to think outside the space of the current political personalities.
The people of Ekiti need a break. A break from retardation and suboptimal attainment, they need a break out of pervading poverty that makes grown men and women queue for a bag of rice and a bottle of oil, in a country where others are producing rice for millions to eat, producing barrels of oil, creating food franchises worth billions of dollars and servicing markets as far as Moscow?
The fact that we have a generous and jovial governor, who makes us laugh is only guarantee that we will be suffering and smiling. Ekiti people must ask themselves where stomach infrastructure must stop so that the real infrastructure can be built, after all the stomach cannot be the end point for the Ekiti people. What of physical infrastructure, mind infrastructure and soul infrastructure. Not infrastructure that collapses the moment you visit the toilet.
It may be just as well that the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Fayose. Apart from the fact that himself and the indigenes of Ekiti resonate with each other, he is firmly on ground politically. For the sake of the people, who need a chance for survival, I will advise all stakeholders in Ekiti to adopt a non-partisan interregnum which will allow Mr. Fayose to govern with minimum interference according to the rule of law, the Constitution of the Federal Republic and the Laws of Ekiti state. I would advise the state APC and other interested parties to self-introspect retreat and re-strategize in view of 2018. This period will give the state a 3 year moratorium, specifically for a minimum level of peace and stability, the precursor to development and the absence of which might take Ekiti to the verge of destruction.
Of all the states in Nigeria, Ekiti state has the greatest propensity to move fastest from being a low income poor state to a rich, double digit growth state between the shortest possible time, considering its human resources alone, which include creativity and capacity. Ekiti is also extremely strategic to the South West Region and the Yorubas and other Yoruba’s value this are ready to join Ekiti for the regional development. Ekiti is equidistant to both Abuja and Lagos, it has solid potential for industrial, scientific, agricultural and tourism development. It has a grand history and a significant pedigree, in the names of Fabunmi, Fajembola, Faboro, Fajuyi, Babatola, Ogunlade, Ogunruku, Asabia, Adebayo, Akinola, Akomolafe, names that run through the very spine of Ekiti, Yoruba and Nigerian History. There are more names to be made and bigger achievements to be met.
History is about to be made in Nigeria with the wind of change that has blown across the land, and Ekiti should not be left out even if Fayose’s partisan bent tried to frustrate the change process. It is left for all of us to rise above the situation and think of the wasting human and natural resources of the state, the poverty, the potential. His Excellency Governor Fayose must realize that, while he is on ground in Ekiti, when wet, the ground is known to be very slippery at times and hence it is not foolish to tread softly. Furthermore, Ekiti grounds particularly can be very rocky and hilly. We pray you don’t fall, we are more interested in EKITI RISING. Governor Fayose should seize the moment and in the interregnum proposed should learn from others before him and from Lagos particularly. Fayose owes the Ekiti people big time, and he has to pay big time. I know he is capable of humbling himself and seeking guidance and advise, which when applied will make him the true hero he appears destined to be and most especially, give the people the prosperity and development boost they really deserve. (Ekiti Forum).