Commissioner-Nominees Must Face Thorough Screening; Ekiti Gov Oyebanji Charges Assembly

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Governor,  Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has charged the State House of Assembly to screen and access Commissioner- nominees whose list is expected to be forwarded before the end of next week.

Oyebanji gave the charge in Ado Ekiti when he received members of the Seventh Assembly.

The meeting is coming against the back drop of rumour that since majority of the legislators are nominees of former Governor Kayode Fayemi, they may not be loyal to the incumbent Governor.

He told the Lawmakers that the list of his Commissioners would be forwarded to the Assembly next week for screening and confirmation.

He, however, urged the Lawmakers to ensure a thorough  screening of the Commissioner designates, stressing that asking them to “ take a bow and go” would not bring out the best from the exercise.

Governor Oyebanji also noted that legislature is critical to the ability of any government to deliver on its promises and enjoined members to be above board and discharge their duties without fear, favour or interference and avoid unnecessary disputes that could affect their legislative assignments.

“I have listened to Mr Speaker and I agree with you that this is one government and I share your legislative agenda of responsive and responsible legislature and that speaks to our own mantra of shared prosperity.

“And I keep telling people this is one government and graciously we are all Ekiti and our people brought us here for a purpose and for that purpose to be realized we just have to work together in the interest of the people”.

“I am not unmindful of the fact that there could be moment of strains and stresses and that is the beauty of democracy.

“It is not every time that we are going to agree like this and the beauty of democracy is in the period of strains and stresses, if it offers a platform for discussion, we will still come back like this, we will argue, we will shout and we will resolve.

“The assurance I can give to you from the Executive Council that I lead,  I can assure you of our readiness to partner with you, to give you necessary support without impinging in your freedom.

“We will give absolute respect to the legislature as a different arm of government.”

Oyebanji charged the newly inaugurated Ekiti State House of Assembly members to always prioritize the interest of the people of the state while discharging their duties as lawmakers.

Earlier in his remark, the Speaker, Adeoye Aribasoye said the purpose of the meeting was to familiarize themselves with the Governor and members of the State Executive Council and to inform the Governor of their readiness to collaborate with the Executive arm of Government.

Aribasoye assured the Governor that the 7th assembly is fully prepared to have a responsive and responsible legislature in order to keep Ekiti working towards shared prosperity.