Oyebanji freezes Ekiti accounts after inauguration – Newstrends
Connect with us

Politics

Oyebanji freezes Ekiti accounts after inauguration

Published

on

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji
  • Governor appoints Adubiaro as SSG, retains Oyebode as CPS

  • Tinubu urges state to vote massively for ruling party in 2023

Few hours after taking the oath of office, Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji yesterday froze all operational accounts of the state government with immediate effect.

The new helmsman said all financial officers in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) must comply with the directive on the freezing of the accounts.

At the swearing-in of the governor, the  presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinibu, seven governors of the party, and other dignitaries attended the ceremony in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

Kebbi State governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (NGF), Atiku Bagudu, led the governors.

Other party chieftains and members from various walks of life also attended the event.

Also present were former Osun State Governor Bisi Akande, Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Adegboyega Oyetola (Osun), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa) and Simon Lalong (Plateau).

Oyetola was represented by his deputy, Bendict Alabi; while Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki; the Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo; outgoing Ekiti State Deputy Governor Bisi Egbeyemi; the Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Funminiyi Afuye; former Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonsakin, were also present.

READ ALSO:

Others are: ex-Governor Ayodele Fayose; former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubike Iherijika; Senators Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi), Michael Bamidele, Musiliu Obanikoro, as well as the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, traditional rulers, amongst other, were also at the event.

The 10,000 capacity pavilion was filled to the brim with admirers who adorned different aso abi (family ceremonial uniforms) for the inauguration.

Oyebanji was sworn in alongside the deputy, Chief Monisade Afuye, as the fifth democratically elected governor of Ekiti State by the Chief Judge, Justice Oyewole Adeyeye.

He took the oath of office and allegiance before the CJ at 12:52 p.m before the ecstatic crowd and thereafter signed required documents empowering him as the state’s new helmsman.

Afuye had taken the oath of office and allegiance at 12:42 p.m before Justice Adeyeye and signed the necessary documents empowering as the second citizen of the state.

Hitherto, former Governor Kayode Fayemi had handed over the Pen of Authority to Oyebanji, which was the first time in the state’s political history.

In his inaugural speech, Oyebaji promised to run an all-inclusive government that would be just, equitable and fair to all, irrespective of religious and political inclinations.

The governor said his administration would focus on human capital development, good governance, agriculture and rural development, Arts, Culture and Tourism, infrastructure and industrialisation to transform the state to microcosm of development.

He hailed Fayemi for attracting development to the state, promising to consolidate the gains of the last administration.

Oyebanji also promised to take Ekiti to higher pedestals through socio-economic development.

“Ekiti Kete! Today is a great day for us, and we should all be proud. Today, we are observing history being made, and a new chapter of our story being written.

“It was in this spirit of oneness that they bound together as a united Ekiti confederacy and emerged victorious against external forces that sought to subjugate us in our own land. In unity of purpose, they fought and contained attempts to dominate us at different epochs in our history.

“This same spirit of unity has been passed down generations, and guided the founding fathers and mothers who built on efforts made since the Second Republic, and led the successful struggle for the creation of our own Ekiti State.

“This was a struggle led by our revered traditional rulers and prominent citizens which resulted in Ekiti becoming the only entirely homogeneous state in Nigeria,” Oyebanji said.

READ ALSO:

Speaking on his plans for the state, he said: “My vision is for Ekiti State to be a land of prosperity, opportunity, peace and progress; a land in which transformed people and communities can reap the fruits of their labour in dignity, good health and safety; a land of honour where integrity matters.

“For this vision to be actualised, we need to focus on a roadmap to get there.”

The new governor promised to execute the recently unveiled Vision 2050 economic roadmap initiated by Fayemi to make Ekiti a model.

In his speech, Asiwaju Tinubu hailed Ekiti electorate for voting massively for the APC during the June 18, 2022 governorship election.

The APC presidential candidate promised that Oyebanji would not betray the confidence reposed in him.

“Ekiti Kete! I commend you for voting Biodun Oyebanji in the governorship election. Some termites came in the name of politics to steal your votes, but you resisted them.”

The former Lagos State governor urged Ekiti electorate to continually support the ruling party in all elections, especially in 2023, saying Nigerians will not regret voting for the broom party.

He said: “In 2023, shine your eyes and prevent vote riggers from stealing your votes. Vote APC. It is the only party that can give you good governance.”

Also, the new governor has appointed Dr. Habitat Adubiaro as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and retained Mr. Yinka Oyebode as the Chief Press Secretary.

Dr. Adubiaro, who hails from Ado-Ekiti, was a senior lecturer at the Department of Industrial Chemistry of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE).

She attended L. A. Primary School at Ikereku in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital; Igboora High School, Igboora, Oyo State, for her secondary education; the defunct Oyo State College of Arts and Science at Ile-Ife for her Higher School Certificate (HSC) between 1985 and 1987.

Dr. Adubiaro later attended the University of Ibadan (UI) in Oyo State where she bagged a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 1994; a Masters and doctorate in Food Chemistry at Ekiti State University in 2004 and 2010.

Oyebode was the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Dr. Fayemi during his first term, the Special Adviser on Media when he was the Minister of Solid Minerals and CPS during his second term as Ekiti State governor.

The appointment, Oyebanji is with immediate effect, according to a statement by the Head of Service (HoS), Mr. Bamidele Agbede.

The Nation

Politics

Updated: Atiku, Obi, El-rufai, others form coalition to unseat Tinubu

Published

on

Updated: Tinubu reacts as Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai, others form coalition 

 

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar says he has formed a coalition with some prominent opposition leaders aimed at unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

Atiku made the declaration during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, attended by several opposition politicians, including former key members of the All Progressives Congress who have since defected.

But the Tinubu-led administration has reacted saying the coalition was driven by hate and not genuine.

The event was convened to address President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

Among those present at the event were the 2023 Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who was represented by Dr Yunusa Tanko; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal; and former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai.

Others are a former governorship aspirant in Ogun State, Segun Sowunmi; former Director General of Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Dr Salihu Lukman; Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri, Chief Peter Ameh and Soni Monidafe, among others.

When asked whether the emerging coalition would serve as the main opposition against the APC in the 2027 elections, Atiku said, “Yes, this is the birth of the coalition of opposition ahead of 2027.”

Many are wondering how leaders with differing ideologies, ambitions, and party affiliations can work together.

In his reaction, spokesperson for the Tinubu-led government, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement referred to the Abubakar-led coalition as “the coalition of Tinubu haters.”

“They are not politicians after the public good. It’s all about their self-interest. They are disgruntled. They are a frustrated lot. The leaders are sore losers. The coalition is an amalgam of Tinubu haters. Their agenda is to stop Tinubu,” Onanuga said.

The presidential spokesperson added that Tinubu remained focused on governance and would not be distracted by a coalition of politicians driven by selfish interests.

Continue Reading

Politics

Senate, Reps okay President Tinubu’s emergency rule in Rivers State

Published

on

Senate, Reps okay President Tinubu’s emergency rule in Rivers State

 

The Senate and the House of Representatives on Thursday separately approved President Bola Tinubu’s proclamation of the state of emergency in Rivers State.

They however mandated a review of the situation at any time, but not later than six months.

The National Assembly also imposed a joint committee of both chambers to oversee the administration of affairs in Rivers State during the emergency period.

The Senate resolved to establish a mediation committee consisting of eminent Nigerians to help resolve the state’s political crisis.

The House of Representatives was the first to approve the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers.

In a voice vote, the lawmakers backed Tinubu’s decision, two days after the President made the move.

A total of 240 House of Representative members attended the preliminary which was presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.

While deliberating on the decision, the House made some amendments including that a committee of eminent Nigerians would be set up to mediate on the matter.

They also noted that the National Assembly is empowered to make law for a state where its house of assembly is unable to perform its functions.

This contradicts the Federal Government’s plan for the Federal Executive Council to take up that duty.

On Tuesday, President Tinubu wielded the big stick in Rivers, declaring a state of emergency in the state.

He also suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara; his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months and appointed a sole administrator to take charge of the state.

Legal experts, governors, and prominent Nigerians including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi to have condemned the proclamation, demanding a reversal.

However, the Federal Government has doubled down on Tinubu’s decision and argued that it was needed to bring peace to the oil-rich state.

Continue Reading

Politics

Emergency rule cannot stand in Rivers, says Amaechi, mobilises against Tinubu

Published

on

Emergency rule cannot stand in Rivers, says Amaechi, mobilises against Tinubu

 

Ex-Governor of Rivers State Rotimi Amaechi has begun a mobilisation of leaders including lawmakers against the imposition of the state of emergency by President Bola Tinubu.

Amaechi who contested the presidential primary and lost to Tinubu in the last election said the suspension of Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara from office was an illegal power grab by the President mm.

He gave this reaction in a statement issued on Wednesday.

Amaechi strongly condemned the President’s action as a truncation of democracy in Rivers State, describing it as “undemocratic, unconstitutional, and a brazen violation of Nigeria’s Constitution.”

He went on to call on the National Assembly, state governors, and stakeholders to reject the “illegal power grab,” under the guise of the state of emergency.

The former Minister of Transportation argued that President Tinubu had overstepped his constitutional authority by suspending elected state officials. Citing Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution, he emphasized that a governor can only be removed through a clearly defined impeachment process, not by presidential decree.

“With this singular move, Mr. President has technically suspended and truncated democracy in Rivers State. This clearly violates our Constitution, the same Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that Mr. President swore to uphold,” Amaechi stated.

Amaechi further questioned Tinubu’s use of Section 305, which allows the President to declare a state of emergency, arguing that it does not grant him the power to “dissolve elected arms of government.”

He accused certain forces of orchestrating a political takeover in the state.

He urged governors, lawmakers, and Nigerians across political divides to resist the “audacious violation of democracy.”

“At this inauspicious moment in our nation’s trajectory, all people of goodwill and conscience should rise to oppose this audacious violation of our Constitution and rape of our democracy.

“Mr. President must be made to know and understand in unmistakable terms that this illegality cannot stand,” he stated.

Continue Reading

Trending