A new kind of governance in Nigeria.

Mr Ayodele Fayose became governor of Ekiti state for a second time in August 2014 and ever since has gone about his job with a relatively uncommon approach that paints the picture of him as a man who is one with his people.

You may term it unconventional for a man who occupies the seat of a state governor, but Fayose’s frequent appearance in seemingly odd postures, buying from, eating with the people, and riding on the back of their motorcycles, among other things, have perhaps helped engender confidence among his people that he is the right man to bring home the goods.

Since he defeated the incumbent Governor, Kayode Fayemi, at the Ekiti governorship poll in June 2014, Fayose left no doubts about his unwillingness to blend into popular expectations about the appearance of a governor.

Below are 7 photos that show the Fayose enigma.

1. In his first meeting with Fayemi after the election, Fayose appeared decked in a polo shirt with a flared collar on a black denim trousers.

Mr Ayodele Fayose with former Ekiti state governor, Mr Kayode Fayemi, shortly after Fayose was declared winner of the governorship election in Ekiti in June 2014; credits: romancemeetslife.com

2. Fayose’s methods during his governorship campaign made the phrase, ‘stomach infrastructure’ popular and he was not in a hurry to ditch it. In December 2014, he announced he had bought bags of rice, and chicken for distribution to citizens resident in Ekiti. He personally handed some over to men of the Nigerian Police Force.

Fayose handing a chicken over to a policeman; credit: Pulse.ng

The governor was subsequently locked in a supremacy battle with members of the Ekiti state house of assembly from the All Progressives Congress (APC) who repeatedly made attempts to impeach him.

3. When the tenure of those lawmakers lapsed on May 29, 2015, Fayose heaved a sigh of relief. He subsequently went on the street with a large number of motorcyclists to celebrate his victory over the lawmakers.

Fayose celebrating with the okadamen

With the distraction of impeachment threats out of his way, Fayose has gone on to lead in his own way, even if unacceptable to some.

4. He sometimes goes shopping.

The governor goes to the market

5. At other times, he is inspecting a construction project and getting on on the action.

Fayose on Wednesday, September 2 goes to inspect the construction of lock-up shops in Ikere-Ekiti; credit: agbosblog

Fayose inspects the construction of a lock-up shop in Ikere-Ekiti; credit: agbosblog

6. He also knows to unwind at local relaxation spots

Governor Fayose enjoys his palm wine at a local relaxation spot

7. At some other times, Governor Fayose displays his driving skills with a lorry.

Governor Fayose driving a lorry on Monday, August 31, 2015; credit: citysplash.com

The warmth in the above pictures notwithstanding, Governor Fayose has shown that he can come down hard on civil servants who arrive late and indeed in spectacular fashion as well — that has them grovelling in the dirt.

Aside Fayose, a number of his brother governors have also been embracing the seemingly mundane in claiming populist medals.

Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai can, for instance, be seen here pushing a wheelbarrow full of dirt during an environmental enlightenment exercise.

Kaduna Governor El-Rufai pushes a wheelbarrow of dirt; credit: nairaland

Before now, Osun Governor Rauf Aregbesola and his Imo state counterpart donned school uniforms.

Osun Governor Rauf Aregbesola in school uniform; credit: naija-soul-bro

Imo Governor Rochas Okorocha in school secondary school uniform; credit: bellanaija

A new kind of governance in Nigeria.