By Uche Amunike
The new Ekiti State governor, Biodun Oyebanji has given directives that all accounts of the state government in Ekiti state be freezed.
Speaking through a press statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, the governor enjoined all accounting officers and financial institutions to abide by the new directive.
Prior to his inauguration, the governor stated that destiny had placed thetask of continuing the journey of actualization of the Ekiti prosperity on his shoulders, which was the core mandate of the state. He stated that he had a vision for Ekiti state to be a land of peace and tranquility, progress, opportunities and one that transformed people and communities in a way that they can reap the fruits of their Labour in dignity, good health and safety. He also visualized it to be a land of honour where people valued integrity.
He assured that he would build on the achievements of the preceding administration by ensuring that every child from existence would enjoy access to free and qualitative basic education up to the Senior Secondary School 3, with curricula that will prepare them properly for further education or the labour market.
The presidential flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ashiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu was also present at that event and during his speech, thanked the people for voting in the new governor, Mr. Oyebanji. He went on to assure them that the new governor will not letEkiti state down.
He made a appeal to the people of Ekiti state to give their votes to the APC while exercising their franchise in the forthcoming election, come 2023. He also warned against allowing vote riggers to steal their votes while advising them to be clear eyed during the election.
His words: ‘Do not forget your Permanent Voter Cards. Someone will say he is Abubakar Atiku while another will say he is Peter Obi, if they come to you, tell them you don’t know them. Tell them the only person you know is Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.’
Three former governors of the state were present at the event, Kayode Fayemi, Ayodele Fayose and Adeniyi Adebayo. The former chief of Army Staff, Azubuike Ihejiriks as well as the former chief of Defense Staff, Abayomi Olonisakin were also in attendance.
Governors Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi state, Simon Lalong of Plateau state and Godwin Obaseki of Edo state were equally present. So were firmer state Governor of Zamfara state, Abdulazeez Yari and Deputy Governor of Osun state, Gboyega Alabi.
The first person to take the Oath of office and allegiance was the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Monisade Afuye. Governor Oyebanji, who was accompanied by his wife who is a lecturer at the University of Ibadan, took his oath immediately after. The Chief Judge of Ekiti state, Justice John Adeyeye, among other top-notch judicial officers of the stateadministered the oaths. For the first time in history, since the advent of democracy in 1999, Fayemi handed over the Pen of Authority to Oyebanjibefore the administration of the Oaths.
