By Ebenezer Adurokiya, who was in Ado-Ekiti, reports
I call it a menace, if not a tragedy! Yes, it is a tragedy, and nothing less, to behold the roads in my dear in-laws’ state in such a deplorable condition. The so-called Fountain of Knowledge has become a fountain of despicable underdevelopment, with poor roads in and around Ado-Ekiti and other parts of the state. What a shame!
Gov Oyebanji
Please, let this be clear: I am not a politician, nor do I intend to become one. I am also not on anybody’s payroll to malign any individual, institution or system, neither am I paid to sing the praises of anyone. As a journalist with a passion to see society move in the right direction, and Nigeria in particular, I speak as a messenger on a divine mission.
Now, to the details. I was in Ekiti State last weekend, specifically on Friday, May 8, 2026, to attend to an issue. I had anticipated that, given the poor state of several roads across the country, especially in the South-West, it would be unwise to drive my car down. I, therefore, opted for public transport from Iwo Road. By 2:00 p.m., we were already on our way.
The ongoing Ife-Ilesha road
I must express some joy at the sight of the ongoing reconstruction of the long-abandoned Ibadan-Ife Road. That nightmare of a road is gradually giving way to hope. Solid concrete reconstruction is ongoing by the Federal Government, but the contractors must hasten the work and deliver it before the elections. Can they?
The same applies to the expressway from Ife Junction to Ilesha. Reconstruction work there is also extensive and progressing steadily. With the section leading into Ilesha nearing completion, we hope the other stretch from Ilesha to Ife and Ibadan will receive immediate attention. Let us continue to back the efforts with prayers.
Sadly, however, immediately we veered into Ekiti State from Iwaraja, the spectacle before us was that of deplorable roads. Ikeji-Arakeji, Erinmo-Ijesa, Erio-Ekiti, Efon-Alaaye Junction, Aramoko-Ekiti and Iyin-Ekiti are littered with yawning roads that bear more resemblance to paths leading to some abandoned farm settlements.
Yes, a not-too-serious reconstruction work is ongoing on parts of the road before entering Aramoko, but several gullies along the route towards Iyin-Ekiti require urgent attention. Those should have attracted some palliatives even if work would eventually get there. In fact, due to the deplorable condition of the road around Aramoko, one could spot fallen articulated trucks by the roadsides. The story of how one of the trucks rammed into a residential building recently, killing two students in their room, remains fresh in people’s memories, as hinted by one of the passengers in the bus.
Relief to bad roads only came when connecting to the newly constructed expressway leading into Ado-Ekiti from Iyin-Ekiti, where the majestic residence of the Senate Majority Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, is located. You can see the reason for the expressway from that area. Na big man attract am to big man house area!
As we moved into the state capital, the atmosphere reflected inadequate development. Deep gullies dotted the middle of the roads as we headed towards the so-called terminal built by the previous administration of Dr Kayode Fayemi. The parking lot inside the terminal is riddled with deep potholes. A flyover currently under construction by the present administration appears laughable. One only needs to see how drainage pipes are channelled from the top of the narrow bridge to the ground: perfunctory and shameful indeed!
I was in Ado-Ekiti throughout the latter part of Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I had the privilege of visiting the famed Afe Babalola University, situated along the road linking the Akoko area of Ondo State. The Poly Road/Afe Babalola Road, described as a federal road, is not only in terrible condition but also dusty and wholly unbefitting of two higher institutions located along that axis.
Bad portion along Aramoko-Ado Ekiti road
Staff and students plying the road on motorcycles have to arm themselves with nose masks, while those driving vehicles without air conditioning are forced to endure intense heat if they wind up their windows. The terrible road undermines the prestige of ABUAD, leaving one to wonder what offence the founder has committed. Fajuyi Bypass was yet another sorry sight – a nightmare.
One is, therefore, tempted to ask what all the political office holders of Ekiti extraction are doing to make life easier for the ordinary people. Yet, the state is awash with hilarious billboards and posters urging the electorate to return failed political office holders “le kan si”. To return for a second or third term to do exactly what? The state governor is busy touring all the local governments seeking a re-election endorsement on bad roads unchallenged. What manner of human beings are we?
Billboards of the governor by deplorable roads
Most annoying are the posters of the governor dotting every nook and cranny of the state, especially beside roads ravaged by gullies that remain unattended to. Slogans such as “BAO Le’kansi” and “One good term deserves another” stare distraught passers-by in the face. Posters, billboards and banners mounted along terrible roads without effective drainage systems?
A street around Oke Ila in Ado
For instance, the Oke-Ila Federal Housing Road was flooded after a very short, but torrential rainfall on the evening of Sunday, May 10, 2026. I was informed that the flooding has become a recurring occurrence year after year in that area due to the poor and stuffed drainage system. The flood, which took over the entire road, was a disgusting mixture of water and filth hurriedly and indiscriminately dumped into dilapidated drainage channels by residents immediately the rain started. It was an eyesore in a state reputed for producing intellectual giants and political heavyweights such as Opeyemi Bamidele and others.
Another bad portion of the road
Without doubt, close observation suggests that the people have been subdued through deplorable roads, poor electricity supply, hunger, poverty, underdevelopment and other hardships, all cleverly orchestrated and executed by past and present leaders on the altar of fake populism. Remember how a few naira were shameless exchanging hands during the last governorship election in the state? Ironically, the same oppressed people continue to hail and celebrate their very oppressors.
Forget about what they show you on screens: Ekiti is a complete disappointment to any sane mind! Did you ask them why they have to wait another election year before embarking on the little road reconstruction? Yeye dey smell! I weep for Ekiti State, nay Nigeria!
