Ekiti Gov, Oyebanji Recalls Commissioner After Two Weeks Suspension

The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has recalled the Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Home Affairs, Mr Olaiya Atibioke, from his two-week suspension.

Naija News reported on August 13 that the governor had given Atibioke two weeks’ suspension for leaving the venue of a three-day retreat for the new commissioners without taking permission.

This platform recalls that the governor inaugurated 19 commissioners and 14 special advisers to complement members of the state executive council about two weeks ago.

Oyebanji, while speaking about the constitution of his cabinet, at the inauguration, said, “We inaugurated Commissioner for Finance, Commissioner for Health, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and many Special Advisers in November last year, and yesterday was our 8th exco meeting, and the exco had approved the 2023 Budget and Supplementary Budget.

“It was our agreement that we would not do (more) appointments until the end of the general elections, which ended in March. The Committee on Political Appointments submitted its report on May 31, the old Assembly ended on June 5, and the new Assembly began on June 6. The screening of the nominees was part of the first assignment they undertook.

“I can’t understand why party members are alleging that the Governor has refused to form his cabinet. We had one in place. What we are doing today is to expand the state executive council membership in line with the understanding we had with the leadership of the party. I want to be remembered as a governor who tells the truth and does the right thing.

“The governor enjoined the new appointees to be connected to the grassroots, pay attention to their political environment,s and not be a “political moonlighter who is rarely seen at home.”

However, Oyebanji later announced the suspension of one of the new commissioners, Atibioke, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser (Media), Yinka Oyebode, about two weeks ago.

According to Oyebode, the commissioner was suspended because he left the venue of a three-day retreat organized for them without taking permission.

The governor’s aide said Atibioke was nowhere to be found during the signing of the performance charter.

He said, “Governor Oyebanji, who fully participated in all the sessions of the 72-hour retreat, had earlier stated that there would be zero tolerance for indiscipline and poor performance.”

The governor has now recalled the suspended commissioner, who is expected to resume work at his office on Monday, August 28, 2023.

The development was contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Governor, Mr. Yinka Oyebode.

He said the governor has appealed to government functionaries in the state to take a cue from the suspension.

The governor’s aide said Oyebanji has reaffirmed his administration’s zero tolerance for indiscipline and actions that are inimical to the progress of the state.