Barring any last-minute change of plan, the Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji will next week forward the list of his commissioners-nominees to the State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation. The governor made the plan known on Friday when he received members of the newly inaugurated seventh Assembly in his office in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.
Oyebanji urged the lawmakers to ensure thorough screening of the commissioner-designates in order to bring the best from the exercise.
The Governor, who noted that the legislature is critical to the growth and development of the state, enjoined them to be above board and discharge their duties without fear or favour and avoid unnecessary disputes that could affect their legislative assignments.
He said: “I have listened to Mr. Speaker and I agree with you that this is one government and I share your legislative agenda of responsive and responsible legislature and that speaks to our own mantra of shared prosperity. And I keep telling people this is one government and graciously we are all Ekiti and our people brought us here for a purpose and for that purpose to be realized we just have to work together in the interest of the people.
“I am not unmindful of the fact that there could be moment of strains and stresses and that is the beauty of democracy. it is not every time that we are going to agree like this and the beauty of democracy is in the period of strains and stresses, if it offers a platform for discussion, we will still come back like this, we will argue, we will shout and we will resolve.
“The assurance I can give to you from the Executive Council that I lead, I can assure you of our readiness to partner with you, to give you necessary support without impinging in your freedom. We will give absolute respect to the legislature as a different arm of government”.
Oyebanji charged the newly inaugurated Assembly members to always prioritise the interest of the people of the state while discharging their duties as lawmakers.
He expressed his government’s readiness to work harmoniously with the Assembly for the interest of the people of the state, adding that the state can only develop when there is synergy between the Executive and legislative arms.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye assured the Governor that the assembly is fully prepared to have a responsive and responsible legislature to keep Ekiti working towards shared prosperity.
