Ekiti Appointment Committee Cries Out Over Intimidation By Political Office Seekers

By Ayodele Oni

Members of the appointment Committee set up by Ekiti state government have cried out over threats and intimidation by political office Seekers.

The committee, set up by Governor Biodun Oyebanji to scrutinize intending political office Seekers and their credentials, have been going round local councils in the state to get necessary information from political leaders on their choice candidates.

Secretary of the committee,Olalekan Ijidale, in a statement on Sunday said some of the applicants are using the Governor’s name to intimidate them.

His statement “It has been brought to the attention of the Appointment Committee set up by the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO) that some people are going about confusing undiscerning members of the public that they are the favourites of Mr. Governor and their appointments had been automatically sanctioned by His Excellency, in spite of the functions of the Committee.

“The committee dispel such misinformation in its entirety and warn those parading themselves in that manner to desist from such an act, which is capable of undermining the outcome of the exercise as duly delegated to Commitee by His Excellency, Governor Oyebanji.

“The Ekiti State Appointment Committee is not a lame duck one. The committee is not embarking on a wild goose chase.

“Rather, the committee takes the task at hand seriously, being conscious of the enormity of its responsibility and the legacy therefrom.

“The committee is making history, knowing that posterity will certainly judge whatever the committee does and the outcome. The committee is therefore not willing to compromise the standard set in order to please anyone.

“The committee has toured all the 16 local governments in the state and read out the guidelines for the nomination of the Commissioner/Special Adviser hopefuls to all leaders in attendance.

“Anything outside the stated guidelines is neither the committee’s brief nor its task and should be outrightly disregarded

“His Excellency, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, has made his position known that Ekiti people are to nominate those who would represent their interests in his administration, hence the constitution and inauguration of the Ekiti State Political Appointments committee was not an exercise in futility.

“No one has the special priority of Mr. Governor, neither is the committee going to favour any individual for any reason.

“The committee has made its position known  and  transparent enough to the prospective nominees and  stakeholders at the local government level.

“The nominees from each local government will still undergo screening, and the most qualified will be recommended to Mr. Governor. The process is still ongoing, and no decision has been made on anyone’s nomination yet.

“We hereby enlist the cooperation of everyone for the success of this crucial assignment. The good Lord will surely see the committee through, and this novel exercise will become an enduring legacy.”