In the last few weeks, new the Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has dissipated too much energy trading words with his predecessor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, over how Ekiti State, also known as the Fountain of Knowledge has been badly run and why things are bound to go from bad to worse. Fayose seems to be pre-occupied with petty matters making many people to wonder whether the governor really have much to offer his people. Almost on a daily basis, the media is awash with how state resources have been wasted on white elephant projects, mismanaged and channeled into wrong use thus portraying the last administration as being wasteful, insensitive, ‘after self comfort’ and terribly corrupt. This time around, Fayose had among others, accused his predecessor of spending a whopping sum of N50m on beds in the newly-built Government House and another N100m tax payers’ money on toilets and bathrooms. Not only that, the helmsman in Ekiti has branded the N3.3b lodge built by the ex-governor as ill-conceived, misplaced and too costly for the state to maintain.
Over the years, Fayose has remained a highly controversial person even before he became governor under the first dispensation, before his eventual impeached from office in 2006. One of the main accusations against him as a controversial person alleged youthful exuberance and penchant for violence. While it is completely not out of place for a new government to appraise the situation on ground with a view to working towards effective service delivery and good governance, which not only promote accountability and transparency, it could also give a clear picture of some sort of where-we-are-coming-from, where-were-are-going and what-it-takes-to-get-there. But the way Fayose is going about his seems to be different.
To move the state forward, government should painstakingly actualise the key component of its five major restoration agenda that is hinged on: virile intergovernmental relations, regional integration, effective local government administration, sustainable developmental objectives and highly professionalised public service. Certainly, while a lot could be achieved in terms of federal-state relations because of the existing party influence in which the state is bound to enjoy with the central government with the same party platform, there is need to maintain cordial relations between the executive and the state legislators dominated by the opposition party, All Progressives Congress (APC), which appears to be worsening by the day. This should be the priority of Fayose. He should not waste precious time on intimidating the state legislators to decamp to his party. Already, this tension is evident in the confrontation between the state government and the state House of Assembly.
Secondly, regional integration is something he cannot do in a hurry. He would need to take time to study events as they unfold. Apart from Ekiti, the only state that is controlled by PDP is Ondo, which recently joined the PDP family following the recent defection of its governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko from the Labour Party. Without sounding pessimistic, this integration would remain elusive until the South-West governors align themselves politically. I don’t foresee this happening for now. On local government administration, Fayose should prove his mettle as a truly grassroots politician by courting the local councils. He should ensure that funds meant for the LGAs are released promptly. The 16 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), created by Fayemi – as I have observed in my articles titled, “Fayemi’s Last Minute Rush in Office” (The Blueprint and Daily Newswatch (08/07/2014) – could be the first casualty in the new governor’s stride to bring governance to the doorsteps of the people.
Also, the developmental objectives mapped out for implementation of the above should be well designed and executed. This should wholistically cover security, empowerment, agricultural development, infrastructural transformation, health, education, science and technology while the fraying nerves of civil servants that have embarked on industrial action in the past few weeks should be calmed. Meanwhile, I take exception to the governor’s tokenism when he announced to his people that: “I am already grooming your Christmas chicken and your bags of rice are coming”, through the office of Special Assistant on Stomach Infrastructure and Special Duties. This is rather childish. Also, all outstanding remuneration and entitlements due public servants in the state should be paid within the next two months. In line with the directive that all public service personnel issues including recent appointments, promotions and discipline should objectively be reviewed. This should be done with all sincerity of purpose. He should urgently ensure that the dignity of the judiciary, which was ruffled a few weeks back, is restored and preserved. He could investigate the affairs of the last administration if Fayemi truly has any case to answer. Afterall, the former governor has said so. Lastly, the governor should show more decorum in view of his alleged uncouth behaviour. Or, how do we explain what played out a few days ago when the governor reportedly wept after prostrating for primary and secondary school teachers for not abandoning him since his impeachment and “rolling on the floor”? This is simply unbecoming, Mr. Governor!
