By Fatai Abiodun
On Saturday, 15th November 2025, the former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, celebrated 65 years of existence. It was a celebration of class and who’s who in Nigeria. The only top person who was not physically present was the Commander-in-Chief and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who also used the front pages of National Dailies to celebrate his brother, Peter Ayodele Omo Fayose (Oshoko).
Indeed, if there is reason for anyone to look for where fortune and greatness lie, the life and ways of the celebrant, Peter Ayodele Fayose, must surely come to mind. A man clearly loved by God.
While growing up in Ibadan, one Governor you will love to hear from is Ayodele Fayose. His composure, talent and stature were a perfect fit for the old and the young. By the Grace of God, if Fayose had not celebrated his age, the masses would still tick 55 years for him. Indeed, Ayodele Fayose is one man blessed by God, and I pray that the joy will not cease, and he shall live to celebrate 100 years.
However, I reflected on the venue and location of the event that hosted the celebration of the life of this man, Ayodele Fayose, someone who was blessed to govern the state of Ekiti for 8 years, could be celebrated, a historic 65 years on earth outside the state he governed for many years, is troubling and made me question the essence of his statesmanship.
I look at the calibre of the attendees and what the economic implications would have been to Ekiti State. The attendees would have had an idea of what Ekiti State looks like in terms of development and cultural infinity, and the State Government would have had some projects line up for commissioning to showcase for the attendees.
When I saw the crowd and crème-la-crème of Nigerians and diaspora in attendance, I wept because the avenue would have put Ekiti State into the spotlight. After all, the only time dignitaries visit Ekiti State is when they are soliciting the masses’ vote. Haba!
More troubling was when the celebrant, Ayodele Fayose, rolled out his wishes after his death that he wished to be buried in Ekiti State beside his grandmother’s tomb, and all expenses of the burial must be paid by the State Government. One wonders if being a Governor of a state means the state must take care of the governor after death. No doubt, most of the state governors in Nigeria had passed a law that keeps them on the state payroll till eternity to the detriment of the masses.
While the law recognises the implementation of a testator’s wish in accordance with the rule of law, a state-testator needs to put the interest of the state he governs into consideration for posterity sake.
One would have expected Fayose to use the occasion of his celebration to give grants and scholarships for 65 Ekiti indigenes who have demonstrated competency on their field of career rather than flamboyancing in the far away lagos state where he was just a mere resident.
It is easy for one to deduce that Fayose only see the state he governed for 8 years as a burial ground and good for nothing. The respectable Nelson Mandela did not serve for up to 8 years in governance. Donald Duke of this world did not spend 8years as a governor of Cross Rivers State to put the state on the tourism map.
The Ekiti State in discussion is not under Boko-haram or bandits that could have necessitated the need for not celebrating the auspicious occasion in the state. The much-touted Agro-Airport, being celebrated by Fayemi, would have been put to use. The Federal Government and dignitaries would have discovered an idea to sell to the governor of the state that would have a great impact on the masses.
Fayode missed the golden opportunity to paint the entire Ekiti State in red as a gift for the celebration of his birthday. Many historians might have started from there, who knows, but his singular action of claiming to be a Lagosian at the detriment of the State he governed for 8 years speaks volumes of his unmettle achievements while in office.
It must be read for all and sundry and be told to all the leaders in power that the true measure of a past administrator’s efficiency lies not in the promises made, but in the systems left behind. The decision of Ayodele Fayose to celebrate his historic 65 years outside Ekiti State clearly expressed that, as a governor of the State where he governed for 8 years, he lived with nothing tangible to show, and no Ekiti lover should praise Ayodele for his unstatemen action.
As a bona fide stakeholder of Ekiti State, Ekiti State is not a burial ground. Ekiti State is full of abundance, grace and resources.
The fountain of knowledge rises to stardom is near.
Fatai Abiodun writes from Abuja
albarka200709@yahoo.com
