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By Adedoyin Adebowale
The May 3, 2026 article by Femi Orebe in The Nation Newspaper Online, which portrays the forthcoming Ekiti State gubernatorial election 2026 as a mere “coronation” of Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, demands a firm and factual response. Such a conclusion is not only premature but dangerously disconnected from the harsh realities confronting ordinary Ekiti people.
To begin with, governance must be measured by the lived experiences of the people, not by flattering commentaries. Across Ekiti State today, infrastructure remains in a troubling condition. Roads are dilapidated, and access into the state particularly from Abuja has become increasingly difficult due to erosion and neglect. A state that cannot guarantee safe and accessible road networks cannot credibly be described as thriving.
Economic life in Ekiti paints an equally grim picture. Small and medium-scale businesses, the backbone of any developing economy, are steadily collapsing. The absence of reliable electricity has crippled commercial activity to the extent that basic conveniences—such as obtaining a cold drink—are no longer guaranteed. Hotels are closing, and the once-bustling capital, Ado-Ekiti, is losing its commercial vitality. These are not abstract claims; they are daily realities for residents and visitors alike.
More concerning is the direction of governance. Rather than prioritising broad-based development, there is a growing perception that public resources are being deployed to sustain political patronage networks. Governance appears increasingly tilted toward consolidating political loyalty rather than improving the welfare of citizens. Many Ekiti people now believe that under this administration, the state has been taken from grace to grass—a painful reversal of its proud legacy.
Equally troubling are allegations of shrinking democratic space. A healthy democracy thrives on opposition and dissent, yet there are reports suggesting that opposition voices are being suppressed through the instrumentalisation of state institutions. Practices such as prolonged detention of political opponents under questionable procedures, if true, raise serious concerns about adherence to constitutional norms and the rule of law.
The social sectors offer little reassurance. Workers continue to express frustration over welfare concerns, pensioners struggle with unpaid entitlements, and the education sector once the pride of Ekiti has suffered visible decline. In several public schools, infrastructure has deteriorated to the point where learning environments are hardly conducive. For a state long celebrated as the “Fountain of Knowledge,” this represents a profound setback.
In this context, it is difficult to reconcile the glowing portrayal offered by Orebe with the realities on the ground. It is even more troubling when influential political figures such as Opeyemi Bamidele are perceived to reinforce narratives that do not align with the experiences of the people to Mr. President. Constructive leadership demands honest feedback, not selective optimism.
Furthermore, contrary to the position advanced by Orebe, the political landscape in Ekiti is far from one-sided. Opposition forces are not only present but increasingly organised and resilient. Ekiti people are politically conscious and have a long history of making decisive choices at critical moments. They know where to go and when to act. The suggestion that the outcome of the election is predetermined underestimates both the strength of political alternatives and the wisdom of the electorate.
It must also be said, without equivocation, that many citizens now view the current administration as one of the most disappointing in Ekiti’s history. Allegations of mismanagement and corruption continue to trail the government, raising serious questions about accountability and transparency. Leadership is not measured by propaganda but by tangible impact, and on this score, the verdict from the streets is increasingly clear.
Elections in a democracy are not ceremonial endorsements; they are mechanisms for accountability. To describe an election as a foregone conclusion risks undermining both the agency of the electorate and the credibility of the democratic process. Ekiti people are discerning, politically aware, and fully capable of making informed choices based on their lived realities.
As the June 20, 2026 election approaches, what Ekiti needs is not the rhetoric of inevitability but a genuine assessment of governance outcomes. The people deserve leadership that addresses infrastructure deficits, revitalises the economy, strengthens institutions, and restores confidence in public administration.
Ultimately, the ballot remains the most powerful instrument in the hands of the people. It will not be guided by praise-singing or political projections, but by the collective judgment of citizens who experience governance daily.
Ekiti’s future will not be decided by declarations of “coronation,” but by the will of its people.
Adedoyin Adebowale is an indigene of Ekiti State and a concerned citizen.
