Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, on Tuesday reinstated members of the State Executive Council, including commissioners and special advisers, whose appointments were dissolved in August.

The reinstatement followed the re-presentation of their names to the State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.

Recall that on August 10, the governor dissolved the SEC, except for the commissioners for Justice, Agriculture, Education, Health, Works, and Trade.

Speaking during the inauguration, Oyebanji said, “The dissolution was not just for routine system audit; it was also strategic as it afforded you an opportunity to rest and refuel for the challenges ahead.

“More importantly, it is also the practice worldwide for an institution to take a mid-term stock and re-evaluate its policy and programmes for better service delivery.”

He charged the cabinet members, saying, “The opportunity extended to all of you to return to the Executive Council must be justified through hard work, dedication, loyalty, and cooperation.

“As you return and are assigned your roles, ensure that you are diligent, responsive, creative, innovative, and transparent. Government business must be undertaken with the highest level of probity, accountability, frugality, and responsibility.

“You must hit the ground running. There is no time for frivolities or infantile triumphalism. No matter our achievements thus far, there is still much more to achieve. We owe the Ekiti people a lot more. Like a relay race, the last leg is the most critical, and we must give it our very best.”

Oyebanji expressed satisfaction with the last three years of working with the SEC, saying, “Together, we have achieved life-transforming developments that have placed Ekiti on a high pedestal among the comity of states. I am proud of our collective achievements in infrastructure, agriculture, education, health, arts and culture, and social and economic development.

“While some members have been exceptional in their delivery, others need to double their efforts to justify their continued relevance in the Council.

“You must make yourselves available in your localities for the people to access government through you. No one should isolate themselves in the state capital, pretending to be too busy to attend local party meetings or engage with the grassroots.

“As we approach 2026, an election year, and as the APC’s candidate, all hands must be on deck. However, politics must not interfere with our duty. I urge you to balance the two competently. Governance must not suffer, and government processes must not dither. You need to go the extra mile in the discharge of your responsibilities.”

The commissioners reinstated are Prof. Bolaji Aluko, Taiwo Olatunbosun, Mr Akintunde Oyebode, Mr Ajobiewe Kolawole, Chief Folorunso Olabode, Dolamu Adeniyi, Karounwi Oladapo, Mrs Peju Babafemi, Mr Atibioke Olaiya, Mrs Tosin Aluko, Mr Awe Olufemi, Prof. Patrick Tedela, Mr Seun Fakuade, Mr Adedayo Adesola, Dr Kareem Akande, Prof. Rasaki Ojo Bakare, Kayode Fasae, and Femi Ajayi.

All Special Advisers affected by the August cabinet dissolution were also inaugurated alongside the commissioners. (PUNCH)

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