BREAKING: Ekiti governor, Biodun Oyebanji swears in 38 new LG chairmen

On Thursday, January 4, the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, administered the oath of office to 38 newly elected local government chairmen and their deputies. During the inauguration ceremony held at Osuntokun Pavilion, Government House, Ado Ekiti, Governor Oyebanji emphasized the paramount importance of enhancing security and revenue generation in their respective council areas.

Governor Oyebanji urged the newly appointed council chairmen to build upon the strong foundation laid by their predecessors, emphasizing that his administration would not tolerate any security lapses under their watch at the local government level. Represented by Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye, the Governor highlighted the integral role of Local Government in the overall development focus and strategy of his government, emphasizing the need to address issues such as poverty, unemployment, and insecurity.

Acknowledging the accomplishments of the immediate past chairmen and those who were reelected, the Governor expressed zero tolerance for corruption and financial mismanagement. He called on the council bosses to discharge their duties with honesty, impartiality, compassion, and fairness, working towards the realization of the shared prosperity mantra of his government.

Governor Oyebanji underscored his commitment to democratic governance at the local level by conducting elections and praised former chairmen for their outstanding performances and adept handling of local politics. He charged the newly appointed chairmen to prioritize security and communicate their plans to the Special Adviser on Security promptly.

Addressing the financial aspect, the Governor advised against sole reliance on federal and state allocations, emphasizing the need for improved internally generated revenue. He stated that the government would consider providing conditional incentives to councils showing significant improvement in internally generated revenue.

In response, the Chairman of Ajoni LCDA, Hon. Michael Ogungbemi, speaking on behalf of his colleagues, pledged to exceed the governor’s expectations, promising to replicate the governor’s policies at the local government level to contribute to the upliftment of Ekiti State.