August 8, 2026_
A call by former Ekiti Governor, Ayodele Fayose, for improved welfare packages for ex-governors has triggered a heated debate across the state, just weeks to its 30th anniversary in October.
Fayose, who turned 69 recently, made the appeal on Monday during the inauguration of a new Government House Lodge named after him by Governor Biodun Oyebanji in Ado-Ekiti.
“I am getting old, almost 70. My strength is failing. I must be taken care of properly because I have paid my dues for this state,” Fayose said.
He urged Oyebanji to go beyond symbolic gestures and ensure better welfare for former governors in his second term beginning October.
Specifically, he asked for enhanced medical care, overseas trips, and official vehicles — including a pilot car — noting that the 2012 law as amended mandates vehicle replacement every three years.
“We have served this state. Priority must be given to former governors going forward,” he added.
MIXED REACTIONS TRAIL THE DEMAND
The statement immediately split opinions.
The Ekiti Council of Elders advised Oyebanji to focus on citizens rather than ex-governors.
Council Secretary, Niyi Ajibulu, said increased federal allocations were meant to ease hardship caused by fuel subsidy removal, not to expand benefits for former office holders.
“Should former governors now become the priority? Government money should go into job creation, industries and projects that touch ordinary people,” Ajibulu said.
But within the ruling APC, leaders took a softer stance.
APC Publicity Secretary, Segun Dipe, said Fayose was only making a personal request that the governor could consider alongside other inputs.
Another party chieftain, Johnson Adeolu, described it as “reasonable,” arguing that Ekiti should not be different from other states with welfare laws for ex-governors. “Today’s governor is tomorrow’s former governor. We need strong institutions,” he said.
Opposition voices were tougher.
Public affairs analyst, Elder Ayo Arogundade, urged the governor to ignore the request and instead pay outstanding gratuities to pensioners.
“If I have my way, once a governor leaves and collects severance, that should be it. Public funds belong to everyone,” he said.
The ADC in Ekiti called the demand “selfish and insensitive,” citing unpaid pensions, poor hospitals and children dropping out of school. It asked the House of Assembly to repeal the pension law for ex-governors and deputies.
Dr Isaac Oladeji of EKSU also faulted the call, saying statesmanship means prioritizing citizens’ welfare, “not the welfare of a clique.”
Resident Ajayi Oluwole added that any support for former governors must not come at the expense of education, health and rural development.
*BACKGROUND*
Since 1999, Ekiti has had four former governors — Niyi Adebayo, Ayodele Fayose, Kayode Fayemi and Segun Oni. All have publicly backed Oyebanji’s administration. While Adebayo, Fayemi and Oni are APC members, Fayose remains in PDP but also supports Oyebanji and President Bola Tinubu. Fayose was recently named Chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency by Tinubu.
Under Ekiti’s 2012 pension law, ex-governors and deputies are entitled to pensions, housing, transport, furniture, domestic staff, medical care and security.
THE TEST FOR OYEBANJI
The controversy puts Governor Oyebanji in a tight spot. His government has been praised for political inclusiveness and reconciling past leaders across party lines.
Analysts say whatever decision he takes will be weighed against his record on infrastructure, social services and improving citizens’ living standards.
For now, the consensus across divides is clear: honoring past leaders is important, but the welfare of Ekiti people must remain the top priority.
PRIORITY?
August 8, 2026_
A call by former Ekiti Governor, Ayodele Fayose, for improved welfare packages for ex-governors has triggered a heated debate across the state, just weeks to its 30th anniversary in October.
Fayose, who turned 69 recently, made the appeal on Monday during the inauguration of a new Government House Lodge named after him by Governor Biodun Oyebanji in Ado-Ekiti.
“I am getting old, almost 70. My strength is failing. I must be taken care of properly because I have paid my dues for this state,” Fayose said.
He urged Oyebanji to go beyond symbolic gestures and ensure better welfare for former governors in his second term beginning October.
Specifically, he asked for enhanced medical care, overseas trips, and official vehicles — including a pilot car — noting that the 2012 law as amended mandates vehicle replacement every three years.
“We have served this state. Priority must be given to former governors going forward,” he added.
MIXED REACTIONS TRAIL THE DEMAND
The statement immediately split opinions.
The Ekiti Council of Elders advised Oyebanji to focus on citizens rather than ex-governors.
Council Secretary, Niyi Ajibulu, said increased federal allocations were meant to ease hardship caused by fuel subsidy removal, not to expand benefits for former office holders.
“Should former governors now become the priority? Government money should go into job creation, industries and projects that touch ordinary people,” Ajibulu said.
But within the ruling APC, leaders took a softer stance.
APC Publicity Secretary, Segun Dipe, said Fayose was only making a personal request that the governor could consider alongside other inputs.
Another party chieftain, Johnson Adeolu, described it as “reasonable,” arguing that Ekiti should not be different from other states with welfare laws for ex-governors. “Today’s governor is tomorrow’s former governor. We need strong institutions,” he said.
Opposition voices were tougher.
Public affairs analyst, Elder Ayo Arogundade, urged the governor to ignore the request and instead pay outstanding gratuities to pensioners.
“If I have my way, once a governor leaves and collects severance, that should be it. Public funds belong to everyone,” he said.
The ADC in Ekiti called the demand “selfish and insensitive,” citing unpaid pensions, poor hospitals and children dropping out of school. It asked the House of Assembly to repeal the pension law for ex-governors and deputies.
Dr Isaac Oladeji of EKSU also faulted the call, saying statesmanship means prioritizing citizens’ welfare, “not the welfare of a clique.”
Resident Ajayi Oluwole added that any support for former governors must not come at the expense of education, health and rural development.
BACKGROUND
Since 1999, Ekiti has had four former governors — Niyi Adebayo, Ayodele Fayose, Kayode Fayemi and Segun Oni. All have publicly backed Oyebanji’s administration. While Adebayo, Fayemi and Oni are APC members, Fayose remains in PDP but also supports Oyebanji and President Bola Tinubu. Fayose was recently named Chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency by Tinubu.
Under Ekiti’s 2012 pension law, ex-governors and deputies are entitled to pensions, housing, transport, furniture, domestic staff, medical care and security.
THE TEST FOR OYEBANJI
The controversy puts Governor Oyebanji in a tight spot. His government has been praised for political inclusiveness and reconciling past leaders across party lines.
Analysts say whatever decision he takes will be weighed against his record on infrastructure, social services and improving citizens’ living standards.
For now, the consensus across divides is clear: honoring past leaders is important, but the welfare of Ekiti people must remain the top priority.
