By Daniel Edu
After a two-week suspension, Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has decided to recall Mr. Olaiya Atibioke, the Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Home Affairs.
Governor Oyebanji had imposed the suspension on Atibioke for leaving a three-day retreat for newly appointed commissioners without seeking prior permission.
It is worth noting that the governor had inaugurated 19 commissioners and 14 special advisers around two weeks ago, bolstering the state executive council.
During the inauguration, Governor Oyebanji stated, “We had previously appointed commissioners for Finance, Health, Attorney General, and Justice, along with several Special Advisers in November of the previous year. Our current executive council has met eight times since then, approving both the 2023 Budget and Supplementary Budget.”
He explained that a consensus had been reached not to make further appointments until the conclusion of the recent general elections, which ended in March. The process of reviewing nominations began shortly after the formation of the new Assembly in June.
Addressing allegations that he was delaying the formation of his cabinet, the governor emphasized his commitment to honesty and the right course of action. He urged the newly appointed officials to stay connected to their constituencies, pay attention to the political landscape, and avoid being distant from their responsibilities.
However, a few weeks later, Governor Oyebanji announced the suspension of one of the new commissioners, Atibioke. The suspension was attributed to Atibioke’s departure from the retreat venue without seeking permission and his absence during the signing of the performance charter.
Governor Oyebanji, who participated fully in the retreat, had made it clear that his administration would not tolerate indiscipline or poor performance.
In a recent statement, the governor’s Special Adviser (Media), Yinka Oyebode, confirmed that the suspended commissioner, Atibioke, has been recalled and is expected to resume work on Monday, August 28, 2023. The governor has also encouraged other government officials to learn from this incident and uphold discipline for the betterment of the state. The recall of Atibioke demonstrates Oyebanji’s commitment to maintaining a progressive and disciplined governance approach.
