Oyebanji Swears in New Council Chairmen

Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti

The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, yesterday swore in the 38 newly elected local government chairmen and their vices, urging them to place high premium on radical improvement on the security of lives and property, as well as revenue generation in their respective council areas.

Oyebanji also gave a matching order to the council chairmen to rev up the pedal of development by building on the strong foundation laid by their predecessors, adding that his administration would not tolerate any form of security lapses at the third tier of government under their watch.

The governor stated these in Ado-Ekiti yesterday during the inauguration ceremony for the new council chairmen held at Osuntokun Pavillion, Government House in Ado Ekiti.

The new council chairmen were elected during the December 2, 2023, local government election in the state.

Addressing the new council bosses, Oyebanji, represented by his Deputy, Chief Monisade Afuye, described the Local Government as an integral part of the overall development focus and strategy of his government that requires adequate attention to tackle the menace of poverty, joblessness and insecurity.

The governor praised the immediate-past chairmen and those that were reelected for demonstrating enough political and administrative acumen to deliver in spite of the multifarious challenges associated with being pioneers.

Stoutly expressing zero tolerance for corruption and pilfering of council funds, the governor urged them to discharge their duties with utmost “honesty, impartiality, even-handiness, compassion and fairness,” adding that they must work assiduously for the actualisation of the shared prosperity mantra of his government.

He revealed that he decided to put machinery in motion for the conduct of election at the local government level to further corroborate how desirous he was for the councils to be run in a democratic manner.

Oyebanji saluted the former chairmen for their outstanding performances and for being shrewd and dexterous in playing local politics that was chiefly associated with the running of local government system, saying it reflected in their acceptability and connectivity with the people.

On his commitment to chase out bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements in the state, the governor charged the chairmen to prioritise security at all times, adding: “You must be deliberate about this.

“Your security plans and strategies should be communicated to me through the office of the Special Adviser on Security as soon as you take over. I will not tolerate security lapses in your domains, therefore, ensure all critical stakeholders are carried along.”

Oyebanji advised the new council bosses against relying solely on the funds accruing to them from the federation and state accounts  to run the affairs of the councils, to avert administrative failure and inability to fulfil their electioneering promises.

On his resolve to bolster the potential of youth and artisans, the governor said his government is sensitive to local content in project execution, directing the council chairmen  to patronise local contractors, while not ruling out the possibility of direct labour in execution of projects in exceptional cases.

The Chairman of Ajoni LCDA, Hon. Michael Ogungbemi, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, pledged to work hard to surpass the expectations of the governor in their performances.