Politicians Are Detractors”; I Will Now Work With Professionals – Ekiti’s Gov. Oyebanji

By Ayodele Oni

Politicians jostling for appointment in the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji in Ekiti state will still have to wait for a longer period.

This is because the Governor has declared that for now, he will consider experienced professionals for appointment into positions.

Oyebanji said politicians will detract him from accomplishing set objectives of his administration and that he wants to be focussed now.

The Governor spoke in Ado Ekiti during swearing in ceremony of special advisers and some reappointed commissioners.

There has been an uneasy calm within the ruling All Progressive Congress, (APC) due to reappointment of some persons that served in the immediate past administration of Governor Kayode Fayemi.

The governor said he was aware of the concerns by party members over his appointments so far and assured them that they would not be neglected.

The re appointed and their portfolios are Akintunde Oyebode, Commissioner for Finance, and Oyebanji Filani, Commissioner for Health. Both served in those offices in the previous administration.

The Special Advisers are Niyi Adebayo, Budget, Economic Planning and Performance Management; Tayo Adeola, Investment, Trade and industry; Ebenezer Boluwade, Agriculture and Food Security; Kofoworola Aderiye, Education, Science and Technology; Jide Awe, Political and Inter Party Affairs; Tope Ogunleye, Bureau of Special Project; Seun Fakuade, Governance, Reforms and Innovation; and Olayinka Oyebode, also reappointed, Media and Strategy/Chief Press Secretary.

“I am not unmindful of the fact that there have been concerns on the configuration of these appointments.”

“I will like to place on record that I am committed to my campaign promise that party leaders will play a very critical role in appointments to political offices at the appropriate time.”

To the appointees, the governor said, “Let me state that you were carefully chosen to be part of our team on our journey to Ekiti Prosperity because of my abiding confidence in your ability and competence.

“The chief consideration for your invitation to serve is the compelling resume of your excellence in character, career attainment, experience and aptitude.

“For me, appointment must be earned on the scores of competence, character and creativity, and on these, you have discharged yourselves creditably well.

“I am personally impressed about your life achievements, but more importantly, about the fact that we share the same dream and enthusiasm about a prosperous state.

“Political leadership in our climes comes with its inherent burden and contradictions which you must quickly understand.

“As top government functionaries, you will, expectedly, come under intense pressure. You, however, need to develop a positive mindset to manage expectations with compassion, firmness, magnanimity and fear of God.

“As you assume office today, you are expected to bring to bear your wealth of experience and leverage your competences to meet the expectation of our people.”