...My advocacy for good governance is driven by love for Ekiti's development
...I have no grudges against the government; I just want things done correctly
...My brother blocked me for two years during his administration
Media personality and social commentator Prince Isaac Fayose has clarified that his recent criticisms of governance in Ekiti are not politically motivated or in support of any political candidate. He stated that he has no interest in running for office but cares deeply about how the state is managed.
“I have no political ambition, now or at any time, and I am not supporting anyone for governor. I simply love what I do, but Ekiti must be properly developed,” he emphasized.
The businessman made this statement while responding to questions on Let's Talk, an interactive show on Trumpeters TV, an online television platform on Facebook. Prince Fayose highlighted that the poor condition of the roads leading into Ekiti will make it difficult for any government’s development policy to have a noticeable impact or attract investors to the state.
"How can development thrive when access to Ekiti is so difficult? What is the point of the development the government claims to be doing if people, tourists, or investors cannot even access the state smoothly? All roads leading into Ekiti are in terrible condition. Is it only the people living there who are meant to benefit from the government’s initiatives? For instance, if the government wants to promote tourism at Ikogosi, how can they expect people to visit if the roads are this bad?” he asked.
Fayose criticized Ekiti’s political officeholders, including senators, representatives, and even the state’s minister, for neglecting infrastructure. “It’s a shame that these people in government are not concerned about the roads. They sit there in Abuja and cannot do anything but keep saying it's federal roads. They should be embarrassed,” he stated.
Fayose expressed frustration over the state’s Agro-Allied Cargo Airport, which, despite substantial public funds invested, has not become operational. “I am counting down the 60 days the government gave me for the airport to start functioning. A lot of public funds went into that project, yet it has remained non-functional for two years after it was commissioned.
"Ekiti is an agrarian state; the government should encourage mechanized farming and ensure the airport is operational. This way, we could export agricultural products—imagine seeing Ekiti vegetables in London,” he said.
When asked about former governors already endorsing Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji for a second term, Prince Fayose noted that it is premature. “The governor has only been in office for two years, and I don’t feel he has delivered at an optimal level. Ekiti’s allocations are higher than they used to be, but for me, the projects do not match the state’s present resources,” he observed.
Fayose went on to criticize his brother, former governor Ayodele Fayose, for what he called the “inactive state” of the opposition PDP in Ekiti. He remarked, "I think it is wicked and wrong when you assist another party to make the one you belong to ineffective. My brother rendered the PDP useless by supporting BAO, a governor from a supposed opposition to his own party."
Responding to critics who claimed he benefited from the government when his brother was governor, Prince Fayose offered a 50 million naira reward to anyone who could prove this rumour. He said, "I didn’t get anything from my brother during his time as governor. He even blocked me completely for two years, so I couldn’t even talk to him on the phone. Those saying otherwise don’t know what they’re talking about."
He also urged the governor to implement the new minimum wage as soon as possible, pointing out that workers’ salaries are insufficient to meet basic needs. Fayose criticized the Ekiti State House of Assembly members for planning a trip to Canada, suggesting they consider visiting China instead to learn about practical industrialization models that could benefit Ekiti.
"The Assembly members claim they’re not using government funds for the trip, but the fact that they sought government approval and planned to travel with their spouses raises questions. If they’re not using state money, why involve the government at all? I doubt any of them has 20 million naira in their account to fund such expenses,” Fayose concluded.
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