OPINION BY FEMI OWOLABI: The ‘three in one’ Oyebanji, and how not to be a governor in Nigeria | TheCable
a handshake, and his wristwatch isn’t making that noise. “My name is Biodun Oyebanji.” As simple as his dressing, so is his mannerism. It is months to the governorship election in Ekiti state, and I am in Ado Ekiti to meet with Oyebanji, the APC candidate. “Do you have a copy of my manifesto yet?” He asks me as we settle for talks. I tell him I have gone through the document and felt a few things missing.
“I believe serious governance should be data-driven,” Oyebanji tells me, and impressively, he begins to make a few comparisons– from the stats on education and health to agriculture. He tells me how he has studied the security design of a particular state, and how Ekiti could pick a thing or two. “We would need people with the capacity and expertise,” he says, with a gesture that suggests getting these people could be the challenge.
The team comprised well-experienced minds mainly from the fields of finance, development and agriculture– both at the local and multinational levels. The coordinator of the team himself is a former director with the Lagos government and had worked closely with two governors in Lagos. It was a great learning ground for me– inspiring my transition from a newsman to doing real public policy work.
This isn’t a one-off. For many locals, Oyebanji is that friendly and accessible governor. The governor drives in one small car, winds down his window and waves at people, stops by a palm wine joint and plays draught with artisans; he poses for photos with children. These traits remind some of a certain Ayo Fayose— the exuberant former governor who was seen as a populist.
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