By Demola Atobaba, Ado-Ekiti
Frontline journalist and Publisher of Fountain Newsbreaker Newspaper, Akogun Tai Oguntayo has urged the newly elected leadership of Ekiti State House of Assembl to work in synergy with the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji and his cabinet to take Ekiti to the next level.
He charged the new speaker, Barrister Adeoye Aribasoye with his team to work together with the Governor for the continued development of the State.
Akogun Oguntayo who served as Special Adviser to the late Speaker of the House of Assembly, noted that, “When there is a synergy between the legislative and executive arms of government, it enables the citizens to enjoy dividends of democracy to the fullest.”
The former NUJ Chairman commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji for not interfering with the processing of electing the new leaders of the house describing this as “a good gesture toward strengthening democracy through the tenet of separation of power.”
He lauded the governor for his giant stride within his six months in office.
It would be recalled that after the proclamation of the 7th Assembly by Governor Biodun Oyebanji on Tuesday, a second term lawmaker, Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, emerged as the Speaker of the seventh Ekiti State House of Assembly.
The 26-member lawmakers, representing different constituencies, in their unanimous verdict, elected Aribasoye, who is representing Ikole Constituency 2 in the hallowed Chambers to superintend over the House.
Former Senior Special Assistant to the wife of the former governor and daughter of the late Deputy Governo, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, Bolaji Olagbaju, representing Ado Constituency 2, also emerged the Deputy Speaker.
The Assembly, had earlier held its valedictory session, on Monday, signaling the expiration of the sixth assembly presided over by a female speaker, Hon. Olubunmi Adelugba.
Governor Oyebanji, in his proclamation letter read by the Clerk of the House, Mr. Tola Esan, urged the assembly to focus attention on robust legislative functions that would transform the state and lubricate frictions for smooth running of government.
Oyebanji promised to respect the sanctity of separation of powers as enshrined in the 1999 constitution, by allowing the lawmakers to enjoy independence for mutual respect to be entrenched in the system.
In his acceptance speech, the highly ecstatic Aribasoye, said; “colleagues, esteemed guests, and the good people of Ekiti State, I am honoured and humbled to accept my election and eventual inauguration as the Speaker of the 7th Assembly of the Ekiti State House of Assembly.
Other elected principal officers of the 7th Assembly are; Hon. Tolu Ige as the Majority leader, Hon Bose Olowokere as Chief Whip, Hon. Yomi Ayorinde as Deputy Majority leader, Alhaja Mariam Ogunlade as Deputy Whip and Hon. Dele Ogunsakin as Minority Leader.
