My Visit to Ekiti Exposes the Illusion of Development Under Governor Oyebanji – Omoyele Sowore
My Visit to Ekiti Exposes the Illusion of Development Under Governor Oyebanji – Omoyele Sowore
The day before yesterday and throughout my visit to Ekiti State, I saw no real development — nothing that could justify the flood of glossy billboards scattered across the state. Each billboard screamed one message: “Vote again for Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO).” But as I moved from one local government to another, the glaring question echoed in my mind — vote for what exactly?
Billboards Over Broken Roads
Everywhere you turned, there were billboards — bright, bold, and boastful — projecting a false image of progress. Yet, behind those colorful faces and smiling politicians lies the stark reality of underdevelopment. The roads are riddled with potholes, communities remain in darkness, hospitals lack equipment, schools are collapsing, and the people’s living conditions continue to deteriorate.
In truth, propaganda has replaced performance. Ekiti people are being sold illusions while the state sinks deeper into poverty and infrastructural decay. Development isn’t measured by slogans or publicity stunts; it’s measured by how much people’s lives have improved — and in Ekiti, the evidence is painfully absent.
Even Ikogosi Is Not Spared
Not even in Governor Oyebanji’s hometown, Ikogosi — famous for its warm and cold spring — could one see tangible development. Often, these do-nothing governors at least attempt to beautify their hometowns as a showcase of “achievement.” But not here. The neglect is uniform — from Ado-Ekiti to Ikogosi, from Ido-Osi to Ikere — a state yearning for leadership, vision, and genuine progress.
The Culture of Celebrating Failure
How do we, as a people, continue to celebrate mediocrity? How do we keep rewarding failure with applause? Ekiti, a state renowned for intellect, should not be reduced to a billboard republic. Leadership should not be about photo ops and political fanfare; it should be about policies that change lives, empower citizens, and inspire hope.
Sadly, what we see is the opposite — an elite obsessed with optics, not outcomes; politicians more interested in self-promotion than public service. The propaganda machine keeps spinning, but the people remain trapped in hardship.
A Call to Consciousness
Ekiti deserves better — and so does Nigeria. We must stop normalizing failure. We must stop allowing glossy campaigns to blind us to the glaring truth. Development is not a slogan; it is action, vision, and integrity in leadership.
Until we demand more from those who govern us, the billboards will keep growing — while the roads, hospitals, and schools keep dying.
It’s time for the people of Ekiti to rise above deceitful political branding and ask the most important question: What has truly changed?
Because no matter how many billboards you erect, you cannot advertise development that doesn’t exist.
