The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, on Wednesday signed three critical bills, including Ekiti State Property Protection (Anti land grabbing, second amendment law, 2024) passed by the state House of Assembly into law, stressing the need to regulate and sanitise land acquisition processes in the state.
The law prohibits forceful entry, illegal occupation of, fraudulent and violent conducts pertaining to landed properties in the state.
Other bills that were signed into law were High Court Law (first amendment, 2014) and Ekiti State Legislative House (Powers and Privileges) Law, 2024.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, accompanied by the Leader of the House, Hon Toku Ige, and the Clerk, A. Agbede, presented the documents to the Governor for his assent at a brief ceremony held at the Executive Council Chamber, Governor’s Office, Ado-Ekiti.
Speaking shortly after assenting to the laws, Governor Oyebanji affirmed that the property protection law will definitely bring an end to the menace of forceful and illegal occupation of landed properties by land miscreants called land grabbers.
The Governor also commended members of the Seventh Assembly for their sagacity, noting that the state has enjoyed remarkable and impactful growth with their cooperation.
He expressed his sincere appreciation to the legislators for being pillars of support to his administration, stating that his achievement as a Governor could not be personal but the achievement of all.
Oyebanji said: “And for the laws that we are signing, I am particularly excited about the anti-land grabbing law.
“This has been an issue in this state, it has stunted growth, it has stunted development, but now that we have a regulatory framework that gives us the legal power, I can assure you that we will implement that law to the letter, no matter who is involved.
“Without your support, there is no way we would have been able to do anything because you provided a legal framework that enabled us to implement most of those decisions that have translated into the outcomes we are all proud of today.
“I am also grateful to you for your understanding in ensuring we put people first by slicing the cake in a way and manner that everybody will have a piece of that cake.
“Going forward, the next two years are going to be characterised by many achievements that will surpass the first two years as it is said that the reward for hard work is more work.
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“We enjoy goodwill with our people in Ekiti state, people seem to like what we are doing, but there is a danger in that.
“The danger is: We must not rest on our oars because we must avoid a reversal of the gains we have had in the last two years.”
Earlier, Aribasoye had said the event signposted the journey to further advance the dividends of democracy to the people as he also noted that members of the House are always working in tandem with the executive, which has helped deepen development in the state.
The Speaker stressed that the event signified another pivotal chapter in the shared journey to effective governance to safeguide citizens’ rights, the holistic welfare of the people and the promotion of socio-economic development of the state through responsive and responsible legislation.
Also at the event were the Deputy Governor, Chief Monisade Afuye; Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Bolaji Olagbaju; Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Habibat Adubiaro; Head of Service, Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi; members of the state House of Assembly. and members of the State Executive Council.
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