It is hard to say goodbye, By Kayode Fayemi

Protocol

How can I begin to find the words that can fully capture the feelings that welled up in me as we began various aspects of our transition process in Ekiti? Amidst the outpouring of solidarity and goodwill from various quarters far and near, it is difficult not to feel emotional. However, underlying those feelings of emotion is also a sense of immense satisfaction, fulfillment, and gratitude. Blessed is the political figure who, at the end of a period of service, is able to wake up and find himself buffeted with such goodwill as you have all generously showered on me – and extended to my beloved wife, partner, and friend, Erelu Bisi Adeleye Fayemi.

The path I have travelled over the period since the birth of our Fourth republic was one which was borne out of a collective resolve among many like-minded compatriots to ensure that the mistakes of yesteryears in our search for a national rebirth do not repeat themselves. As was aptly noted in the course of this international valedictory conference, the march to the start of the Nigerian Fourth Republic began against the backdrop of a history of vibrant social movement activism which was critical to stemming authoritarian excesses in the polity but which never galvanized itself sufficiently to convert resistance into alternative political praxis for the benefit of Nigerians.

The resolve which we made as a collective to break that pattern and cycle of engagement is what resulted in several of us making an entry into the rough and tumble of national politics. Our vision and hope were that in doing so, we can make a difference on the tone, tenor, and content of governance that would at least show the potentiality of what an alternative form of politics can do, and enable our people to enjoy the substance of development as a direct benefit from the alternatives we preach and practice. In many ways, therefore, I can say – and the story will be further documented for posterity to appreciate critically – that I did not embark in a solo journey or an ego trip. Rather, what I did and which many others also embarked upon was part of a collective and purposeful endeavour which needed to happen.

Looking back on the totality of my experience to date, and if the matter was to be debated all over again, there is no doubt in my mind that many more leaders of civil activism will need to take the bold step of direct political engagement if our collective search for a better nation is to be achieved. In fact, I would suggest that now more than ever before, we must draw in many more from best among us from all works of life in order to undertake the urgent task of retrieving our country from the multiple crises that have tempted some to believe that collapse is either imminent or inevitable. The task of national rescue and rebirth must be led by committed compatriots fired by the kinds of patriotic zeal that drives societal transformation.

It is that zeal that must trump all other considerations in making the decision to enter into public service. At a personal level, my decision was made relatively easy by the massive goodwill and sacrifice of family, colleagues, and associates. My partner and wife, Erelu Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi deserves special mention for being the strongest pillar of support which anyone in public office can hope for. My fellow travellers in civil society, political society, and the scholarly academy have also in various ways been constant sources of support to whom I owe a huge debt of gratitude. No leadership project can endure which is not watered constantly by honest engagement by the constituencies I have been privileged been working with over the years.

Leadership is a collective endeavour even if at different times, individuals emerge as the arrowheads of a shared project of transformation. In my years in Ekiti and national service, I have been a beneficiary of the wisdom, counsel, and guidance of other leaders, both in government and outside government. I include in this category, HE President Muhamadu Buhari and all other living Nigerian former heads of state, our esteemed traditional leaders, and various statesmen and women too numerous to mention here. Honour, recognition, and appreciation goes to all my brother governors and various members of the Federal Executive Council with whom I have been privileged to collaborate.

I cannot also fail to note that leadership is a continuous process of learning and self-renewal. This process is helped where the leadership figure benefits from worthy sparring partners of the kind we tried to assemble in the Ekiti State Executive Council, the State House of Assembly, and the administration of local affairs. I owe a debt of gratitude to these colleagues for their honest feedback, open engagement, and willingness to think out of the box.

There is a foundation which we have laid here. It is a foundation which will undoubtedly endure because in Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, we found a worthy standard bearer to lead the unfinished greatness of Ekiti to the next level. I feel proud that BAO embodies the best in our Ekiti of dignified Nigerians. I know that like Timothy, when he took over the mantle from Paul, you and your team will do the work of the missionary, labouring day and night, with diligence and in faith for the greater good of the people and the nation.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, my work as Governor of Ekiti State is almost done. It has been a full and fulfilling journey. I can say, like St. Paul, that for this phase of my journey, I have run the race. In doing so, I have done my best to keep the faith. As I exit, I can only now pledge before you all that I will continue to an active partisan in the ranks of that battalion of Nigerians determined to ensure that we see the country of our dreams in our life time. We will get there together. Let us hold the dream that Nigeria will rise again. And as it does, Africa will also rise again. And global Africa will find the dignity that fired Henry Sylvester Williams, Marcus Garvey, Booker T Washington, George Padmore, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Kwame Nkrumah, Nelson Mandela, Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello, and the many other leaders who built the pan-African ideal.

I thank you and God bless you one and all.

-Text of closing remark by Fayemi, outgoing Ekiti State Governor at a valedictory conference in his honour at Ado Ekiti