Second Term Will Focus on Commerce, Productivity — Gov. Oyebanji

By Joseph Sunday

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has said his second-term administration will prioritize projects that boost commerce, enhance productivity and stimulate sustainable business growth.

Oyebanji stated this on Wednesday at a Town Hall meeting with stakeholders from Ekiti North Senatorial District held in Ifaki-Ekiti, as part of consultations for the 2027 Budget.

According to the Governor, his administration will deliberately target investments that add value to the economy and put the state on a higher economic trajectory, stressing that limited resources must be deployed for maximum impact.

“In our second term, whatever we are going to do must add value because resources are limited. There must be value addition. We must catalyse productivity and ensure our people are productive. It is only when there is value that artisans like welders and auto mechanics can thrive and become prosperous,” he said.

Oyebanji, whose second term begins on October 16, 2026, reaffirmed his commitment to inclusive and participatory governance, assuring that community inputs will continue to guide project prioritization. 

He said investments would be strategically channeled to critical sectors including healthcare, electricity, road infrastructure and water supply.

He noted that efforts to expand electricity access have been constrained by legal frameworks that limit states to power generation without distribution rights.

On politics, the Governor declared that Ekiti State will take the re-election bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027 seriously, urging residents to reciprocate the President’s support for the state with increased votes.

“We must show appreciation. It will not be enough to repeat previous figures. We must do more in the next election,” he said, citing federal appointments and infrastructure interventions, including the award of the Ado-Ijan-Ilumoba-Ikole and Ado-Aramoko-Ita-Ore roads in collaboration with the Federal Government.

He also commended traditional rulers for their role in intelligence gathering and improved security, while calling for sustained vigilance.

Giving sectoral updates, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, said over 300 nurses and 1,500 health assistants have been recruited in the last four years, with significant upgrades to primary and secondary health facilities. He added that three new general hospitals have been approved for Ipao, Ikogosi and Awo-Ekiti.

The Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Prof. Bolaji Aluko, disclosed that over 500 boreholes have been constructed across the state, with an additional 110 proposed.

In their responses, traditional rulers and stakeholders from Ikole, Moba, Ido/Osi and Oye Local Governments commended the administration for its development strides and security interventions, while listing roads, electricity, water and healthcare as priorities for the 2027 budget.

Among the traditional rulers were the Alaaye of Oke Ayedun, Oba Femi Aribisala; the Obaleo of Erinmope, Oba Sunday Aniyi; the Olojudo of Ido-Ekiti, Oba Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro; and the Onisan of Isan-Ekiti, Oba Gabriel Adejuwon, who lamented that poor road access and power supply were hampering local economic growth.

The stakeholders pledged stronger support for the Governor’s second term to enable delivery of his shared prosperity agenda.

Dignitaries at the meeting included the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Habibat Adubiaro; Chief of Staff, Mr. Oyeniyi Adebayo; Head of Service, Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi; members of the State Executive Council, local government chairmen and community leaders.