Oyebanji sets to appoint more commissioners, aides

Ekiti state governor, Biodun Oyebanji has concluded plans to appoint more commissioners, special advisers and assistants into the administration in the next few days.

Oyebanji who took the oath of office as the governor of the state on October 16, 2022, had been maintaining a compact cabinet with just three commissioners and ten special advisers who are majorly technocrats.

Even though there has been a smooth running of government activities since last year, members and leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) have been agitating over what they termed as the delay by the governor to form his cabinet with party loyalists.

To address this, the governor set up an eight-man committee to collate and suggest three names each across the 16 local government areas of the state for appointment as commissioners and cabinet members.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that the governor who received the report of the committee two weeks ago is set to send names of the commissioner nominees to the House of Assembly for confirmation.

It was learnt that this development resulted in the intense lobbying of traditional and religious leaders, and political bigwigs within and outside the state by party loyalists who were desirous of appointment in the administration.

A source close to the governor revealed that the list of the successful candidates from the LGAs has been prepared and that the governor will soon publish the names and send them to the lawmakers for screening.

The source said,” You know the governor has received the report of the committee he set up on the political appointment where they nominated about three names for him in each of the 16 LGAs in the state.

“ The governor has done his own homework on the list and he will release them in a matter of days and forward to the legislative arm. No doubt, APC leaders and members have been expecting it and we hope it calms nerves when released.”

Governor Oyebanji had while speaking at the weekend in his hometown of Ikogosi-Ekiti during the funeral service of late Onikogosi, Oba Abiodun Olorunnisola, solicited prayers from the residents to appoint credible individuals into his cabinet.

He said, “Pray for me especially as we prepare to now appoint commissioners in the next few days, that God will choose for Ekiti people. God will choose men and women that will fear him, that is compassionate and will have the love of the people in their hearts.”

On the fears of many stakeholders that the appointment of core politicians might derail the government, Oyebanji added that “ I know that there are concerns in some quarters that when we appoint commissioners, the direction of government will change, it will not change if God is in the business, it will only get better.”

YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

Why Nigeria’s economy needs prayer — Primate Ayodele

The leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele has revealed that Nigeria’s economy needs prayers to…

EXCLUSIVE: DSS recovers 18 bags of currency, documents from Emefiele’s Lagos residence

No fewer than 18 Ghana-must-go bags containing money and documents have been carted away by operatives of…

Ladies should have between N5m to N10m before getting married — BBNaija’s Doyin

Former Big Brother Naija season 7 ‘Level Up’ housemate, Doyinsola Anuoluwapo David, popularly known as Doyin, has enjoined ladies to…

Peter Obi still best candidate for better Nigeria — Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in…

GWR: Chef Dammy plans to unseat Hilda Baci with 150-hour cook-a-thon

The 22-year-old chef, Damilola Adeparusi, popularly known as Chef Dammy, has revealed her plans to…

TRANSFER NEWS: Chelsea agree deal for 21-year-old Senegalese striker

According to The Athletic, Chelsea has agreed to personal terms with Villarreal’s Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson, 21, who has a release clause of…