Why I stayed off Ekiti Assembly crisis – Oyebanji

Gov. Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti said on Tuesday at Ado-Ekiti that he did not interfere in the crisis that engulfed the state’s House of Assembly in the last couple of days because of his belief in separation of powers.

The House impeached its former speaker, Mr Gboyega Aribisogan who spent one week in office and elected Mrs Bunmi Adelugba, its first female speaker as replacement on Monday.

It was reported that Gov. Oyebanji spoke when members of the Assembly presented Adelugba and executives of the ruling All Progressive Party (APC) to him.

The governor thanked leaders of the APC for their intervention and for their efforts at resolving the issue, politically.

Oyebanji said he decided to stay off the crisis so as to give the legislative arm the full Constitutional rights it has to administer itself without interference.

He also described the crisis as a family affair that could be resolved amicably without external interference.

Oyebanji assured the new speaker of his support but reminded her of the need to work on the speedy passage of the state’s 2023 budget.

Presenting the speaker earlier, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Akeem Jamiu, described the crisis that broke out in the House in the last few days as an embarrassment to members of the APC in the state and to the people of Ekiti generally.

He said the House presented the new speaker to the governor as a mark of honour and respect for his exalted office.

He said the House had corrected what he called an “anomaly” in the Assembly, and gave assurance that the House, under the new leadership, would continue to maintain peace.

In her remarks, Adelugba expressed appreciation to all members of the House and to APC executives in the state for her emergence as the new speaker.

She described the process that led to her becoming the speaker, as “a peaceful one” and promised to always maintain allegiance to the Constitution and to the people of Ekiti.

Similarly, APC Chairman in Ekiti, Mr Paul Omotosho, distanced the party from the crisis that paralysed activities in the House in the last few days.

“Let me remark here that the party does not have interest in who becomes the leader of the House; all what the party wanted was peace, and how the state would move forward,” he said.