Tag: Biodun Oyebanji

  • Ekiti Governor, Oyebanji Ends Two-Week Suspension of Commissioner After Recall

    Ekiti Governor, Oyebanji Ends Two-Week Suspension of Commissioner After Recall

    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.

  • Biodun Oyebanji Rolls out 6-Point Agenda

    Biodun Oyebanji Rolls out 6-Point Agenda

    The newly sworn in Governor of Ekiti, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has rolled out six points agenda to further bring economic prosperity and good governance to the people of the state.

    Oyebanji, shortly after he was sworn in by the Chief Judge of Ekiti, Justice John Adeyeye, said that his six points developmental agenda would focus on youths development and jobs creation.

    Others are: human capital development, Agriculture and rural development and infrastructure, industrialisation, arts, culture and tourism as well as good governance.

    The governor said that his vision for the state was for it to be a land of prosperity, opportunity, peace, progress and a land which transformed people and for communities to reap the fruits of their labour in dignity, good health and safety.

    Oyebanji said the six-point agenda was carefully selected based on his experience in the public and private sectors, coupled with the yearnings of the masses to improve the status of the state.

    He said for the vision to be actualised, there was need to focus on a roadmap to get there, urging the people to be partners in progress.

    Oyebanji said that creating employment and income-generating opportunities for residents of the state would be a critical component of his administration’s agenda.

    “We have identified some of the drivers, markets and industries that create these opportunities within the system and intend to nurture them and give them the enabling structures and support required to deliver the jobs we need,” he said.

    The governor promised that his administration would ensure that all eligible students have access to free and qualitative basic education up to the Senior Secondary School (SS3), with curricula that prepare them adequately for further learning or the job market.

    He also promised to further develop the agriculture sector by attracting more investment in agri-business to deepen the processing capacity of both the staple and cash crops, which would not only provide food security, but help the country to grow its non-oil exports.

    “We have a responsibility to support our farmers with facilitated adequate financing, value chain support, access to markets, skills and technology to increase productivity within the sector.

    “Giving practitioners the ability to provide food for the state and for exports, while creating the much-needed jobs and opportunities.

    “Priority will be given to strategic crops, including cassava, rice, cocoa, cashew, maize, yam and vegetables.

    “Accelerating the development of key infrastructure that is critical to our economic development will have a vast impact on our progress.

    “Power and transportation are two key priority sectors that will improve our competitiveness and generate positive economic and social impact.

    “We are committed to collaborating with stakeholders to ensure that we boost these underdeveloped core sectors,” he said.

    Oyebanji said that his administration’s modus operandi would be the establishment of numerous platforms for widespread participation, interaction and inclusiveness of all stakeholders in actualising the set goals.

    “We intend to ensure robust dialogue and uncensored expression and consultations across the length and breadth of the state, thereby ensuring the interest and participation of all in the welfare of Ekiti Kete.

    “We assure the people that we will hear you and truly see you. Our outlook is a government of the people, for the people and by the people through active involvement.

    “On this platform, I hereby pledge my accessibility to you all,” he said.

    The governor thanked his predecessors in the state, especially the immediate past Gov. Kayode Fayemi and his wife, for laying the solid legacies on which the new administration would stand upon.

    “Though, the Fayemis are leaving behind very huge shoes for me and Olayemi to fill, we are confident that with their supports, we will assuredly grow into them.

    “I am enthusiastically counting on the generosity of spirit of the Adebayos, Fayemis, Fayoses and other past leaders, to continue in the service of our homeland by constantly affording us their enormous goodwill, expertise, and experience,” he said.

    In his remarks, Bola Tinubu, the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress party (APC), urged the people of the state to continue to vote for the party, especially during the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

    Tinubu expressed optimism that the legacies left behind the past administration of Gov. Fayemi would be sustained by the new administration of Gov. Oyebanji.

    He urged the people, particularly APC members in the state, to guide their Permanent Voter Cards jealously and ensure that they vote for APC for continuity and good governance to continue to flourish in the state.

    Present at the event were Governors of Kebbi, Jigawa, Edo, Lagos, Ondo, Plateau, former Gov. Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti and the Deputy Governor of Ogun.

    The major highlight of the event was the administration of the oath of allegiance on the Deputy Gov. Mrs Monisade Afuye and Gov. Biodun Oyebanji, who were later sworn in to pilot the affairs of the state for the next four years.

    Colourful parade was also mounted by members of the Nigeria Police Force, Ekiti Command to add colour and glamour to the occasion. (NAN)

  • Buhari Receives Ekiti Governor-Elect, Biodun Oyebanji in Abuja

    Buhari Receives Ekiti Governor-Elect, Biodun Oyebanji in Abuja

    President Muhammadu Buhari Monday received Governor-elect of Ekiti State, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji at State House, Abuja.

    The newly elected Governor was led to the event by Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu, Governors Kayode Fayemi, Atiku Bagudu, and Mohammed Badaru Abubakar of Ekiti, Kebbi, and Jigawa States, respectively.

    The President, in a statement issued by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, said he keenly followed the polls held on Saturday, June 18, and was delighted with the orderly conduct, and the way the electorate and security agencies comported themselves.

    “I loved how the APC Governors mobilized, and supported you,” the President told Oyebanji.

    “I think the party is very lucky, and things are getting better. I congratulate the Chairman, and I pray you sustain it.”

    Senator Adamu ascribed all the glory for the election victory to God, and pledged that same would be replicated in Osun State next month.

    In his capacity as Chairman of the Campaign Council for Ekiti, Gov Badaru congratulated President Buhari on the successful outing, saying “Your unending effort to reposition the party is paying off. If we combine the votes of the candidates that came second and third, our candidate still beat them by a wide margin. APC is being daily endeared to Nigerians. Our gratitude goes to you, Mr President.”

    The Governor-elect, while appreciating the President, said the election was a referendum on the party, “and a clear, positive signal to the election in Osun, and the National one next year. APC is still the party of choice.”

    Oyebanji lauded the President “for the leadership and the level playing field you provided,” adding that he would be magnanimous in victory, as earlier advised by President Buhari.

  • We Didn’t Buy Votes, Ekiti People Supported Us To Win Election – Oyebanji

    We Didn’t Buy Votes, Ekiti People Supported Us To Win Election – Oyebanji

    The governor-elect of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, has faulted the allegation of vote-buying against the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the just concluded governorship election in the state.

    He stressed that neither he nor the ruling party was involved in vote-buying as alleged, saying they canvassed for votes from the electorate which led to their victory at the poll.

    Oyebanji stated this on Monday while briefing State House correspondents shortly after he met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

    He insisted that he did not witness any vote-buying in the polling unit where he voted, adding that he won the poll based on his previous performance as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) in the state.

    The APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, who accompanied the governor-elect alongside some governors to meet with the President, also reacted to the allegation against the ruling party.

    He affirmed that the allegation of vote-buying was being sponsored by aggrieved persons who lost at the poll.

    Apart from Adamu, Oyebanji was also accompanied by Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, and Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa State.

    The Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo; and Senior Special Assistant to the President (Domestic), Sarki Abba, also attended the meeting with the President.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Oyebanji, the APC candidate as the winner of the keenly contested election it conducted on Saturday.

    Oyebanji polled 187,057 votes – over 100,000 votes more than that of his closest rival, Segun Oni of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), who scored 82,211 votes in the election.

    Mr Bisi Kolawole of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came third in the poll with 67,457 votes.

    Following the declaration, there were allegations that the election was marred with irregularities, including the hiring of hoodlums for vote-buying and snatching of ballot boxes allegedly by the APC – claims which the ruling party swiftly denied.