Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji explained his delay in appointing politicians to his cabinet, saying he wants no distractions as he aims to build a formidable team for his administration.
The governor said he was aware of party members’ concerns about their appointments so far and assured them that they would not go unheeded.
The governor, who was speaking at the swearing-in of the new commissioners and special advisers on Friday, also noted that their appointments were strictly on merit.
The new appointees and their portfolios are Akintunde Oyebode, Finance Commissioner, and Oyebanji Filani, Health Commissioner.
The Special Advisors 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 Interparty Affairs; Tope Ogunleye, Office of Special Projects; Seun Fakuade, Governance, Reforms and Innovation; and Olayinka Oyebode, Media and Strategy/Chief Press Secretary.
“I am not oblivious to the fact that there have been concerns about the configuration of these appointments,” he said.
“I would like to put on record that I am committed to my campaign promise that party leaders will play a very important role in political appointments at the appropriate time.”
To the appointees, the Governor said, “Let me say that you were carefully chosen to be a part of our team on our trip to Ekiti Prosperity because of my abiding confidence in your ability and competence.
“You all come from a proven pedigree of professional acumen, brilliance and personal achievement.
“The primary consideration for your invitation to serve is a compelling resume of excellence in character, professional achievement, experience and aptitude.
“To me, the nomination must be earned by scores of competence, character and creativity, and on these, you have performed creditably well. I am personally impressed by your lifetime achievements, but more importantly, by the fact that we share the same dream and enthusiasm for a prosperous state.
“Political leadership in our climates comes with its inherent burden and contradictions that you must quickly understand. As senior government officials, they will, unsurprisingly, be under intense pressure. You, however, need to develop a positive mindset to handle expectations with compassion, firmness, magnanimity, and God-fearing.
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“As he takes office today, it is expected that he will draw on his wealth of experience and leverage his competencies to meet the expectations of our people.”
He also called on members of the All Progressives Congress in Ekiti to continuously promote the party’s presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, in order to win the 2023 election.
“As we embark on an election campaign to elect the next president of our beloved country, I call on all political parties to strictly adhere to campaign rules and regulations ensuring that campaigns are issue based and not have no violence or rancor,” he said.
“As for us in the Congress of all progressives (APC), we will continue to promote our candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the Ekiti constituency until we win.”
In October, the governor had appointed Habibat Adubiaro as State Government Secretary and Dayo Apata as Attorney General and Justice Commissioner.
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