Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose stands out among other governors. Apart from the fact that he is one of the few remaining opposition governors, Fayose is known for his critical criticism of President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress.
Known for calling a spade a spade, over time, Fayose has been enmeshed in so many corruption allegations and election rigging scams.
Many still remember the Poultry Scam that some described as the greatest robbery of Ekiti People.
While some laud his Stomach Infrastructure Scheme, others describe it as another scam to rob Ekiti people. In all, whether you like it or not, Fayose is and will always be the most interesting governor the state has ever had.
Here are five reasons why everyone should emulate Fayose
Courage
Ever since President Muhammadu Buhari started running for office last year, Fayose has been watching him like a hawk. Remember the Death Advert on the Front Page of Punch, that was the craziest political move ever pulled in the political history of Nigeria.
Today, once or twice a week, Fayose releases a statement about something Buhari has done or not done, it gets more interesting by the day.
Any other governor would have cowered at the sight of the APC Led administration but not Fayose, ever towering on, he is always set to criticize and analyse.
Whether he is right or wrong doesn’t matter, what matters is that his courage is enviable. Every Nigerian should emulate his courage.
Grass to Grace
Not long ago, while speaking with members of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, he said “I was once a driver like you. I used the money I got from driving to sponsor myself for HND at Ibadan Polytechnic, but I did not get desperate.
“All I’m saying is that being a driver you can make it in life. You will become what you want to become in life with hard work. Don’t join evil gang for you to get rich overnight, try and rise through the ladder like we did.”
Only one per cent of Danfo Drivers think of sponsoring themselves for further education. Fayose is one of this selected few. Some have described his style of politics as Agbero Politics but this doesn’t matter.
Standing up and becoming someone of importance in Nigeria is a long shot and only a few people ever get there. Fayose not only got there, he surpassed expectations.
The message behind his story is one of hope, that no matter where you come from, as long as you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything.
The Market Governor
Fayose has been pictured in the market several times, he is seen talking to market women, in one photo, he was cutting meat and packing Ponmo.
How many governors do such, aside from the fact that he sees himself as part of the people, he still attempts to engage once in a while.
I know this is all propaganda but think about it, the market woman he was chatting with might never benefit from any state government policy, her kids might not be able to attend Secondary school because she cannot afford it, but she won’t care about all this.
All she will always remember Fayose for is that he is the governor who gisted with her and that’s it.
No matter how high you get in life, always mingle with the little people. They hold the world.
Loyalty
After the Peoples Democratic Party defeat in the last elections, many members defected, they moved within the twinkle of an eye. Fayose is one of the strong PDP members standing and events have shown that he is not planning on shifting allegiance anytime soon.
Fayose is loyal and they always say that loyalty is the only attribute that will get you to the top.
The People’s Governor
Fayose is the people’s governor and no one can contest that position, always moving around, always visiting offices, almost everyone in Ekiti has seen Fayose at one point or the other.
No every one can say they have seen their governor, in some states, people only see their governor during elections. There are governors who even live in the capital of other states.
Always for the people who voted him in, Fayose is for the people.