The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, on Friday exonerated President Muhammadu Buhari from the failed attempt by the former 19 All Progressives Congress lawmakers to impeach him from office.
The governor, who stated this at the inauguration of the 5th House of Assembly, said his security reports confirmed to him that the President did not have a hand in the plot to remove him from office.
Fayose also warned the newly-inaugurated lawmakers against over ambition, urging them to cooperate with the other arms of government to move the state forward.
At the inauguration, a former Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Pastor Kola Oluwawole, and Hon. Olusegun Adewumi emerged as the speaker and deputy speaker respectively.
Oluwawole from Moba Constituency One was nominated by Hon. Adewumi Olusegun Mayowa from Ekiti West Constituency 1 and seconded by Hon. Dele Ayodele from Gbonyin Constituency 2.
He had been touted as the candidate of Fayose weeks before now.
The deputy speaker was nominated by Hon. Ayeni Adewale from Ikere Constituency 1 and seconded by Hon. Titi Owolabi from Ikole Constituency 1.
The Clerk of the House, Tola Esan, administered the oath of office and allegiance on the officers.
Fayose, who rode to the Assembly on a commercial motorcycle in a road show, amidst large crowd, described the last seven months of his administration as “months of distraction.
“Today, I am going to hit the ground running, I am going to work with you because we cannot afford to disappoint Ekiti people.
“As lawmakers, your duties include to make laws for the people of the state and also to perform oversight functions.
“Don’t jump the gun.
“Don’t live your primary assignments and say that you want to be acting governor.
“I think you will learn from the past mistakes.”
While pledging to cooperate with the lawmakers, Fayose said notwithstanding the poor financial situation in the state, he will accord the lawmakers their respect and pay all their dues.
Applauding the people of the state for their support while the impeachment moves lasted, he said their stance had further demonstrated their love for him in spite of “intimidation and threat by the APC”.
He said: “You demonstrated that you will continue to speak with one voice.
“We are in opposition, but we will continue to refuse all efforts or any attempt to muscle the opposition in the state.
“We will continue to stand on the side of the people.”
The new speaker, in his address, said the House would cooperate with the executive arm of the government as a family and would not engage in “pull down syndrome”.
Oluwawole said: “The Executive and the Legislature are one PDP family.
“Morbid critics of the 5th Assembly will fail woefully.
“The two institutions are to operate as one single government.
“They are expected to operate as independent arms of the same government.
“It is rather one of ‘shared powers’ than separation of powers.
“The House is a ‘legislative assembly’ and not a ‘motley assembly’.
“The House will not engage the executive in pull down syndrome.
“You don’t pull down a development-driven administration.
“The two arms of government will observe the principle of mutual respect and non-interference in their daily activities.”
Other officers announced on the floor of the chamber as agreed by the leaders of the PDP are Hon. Olatunji Akinyele as Leader of the Business of the House; Hon. Sunday Akiniyi, Chief Whip; Hon. Adeniran Alagbada, Deputy Leader; and Hon. Ekundayo Akinleye, Deputy Chief Whip.
Trending
- Tariff hike: Falana backs picketing of DISCO offices, says NERC didn’t follow due process
- NLC, TUC storm Ikeja, Ibadan DisCos over electricity tariff hike
- NANS decry UniAbuja ASUU strike, says it lacks regards for education system
- UN Nigeria partners Sterling One Foundation to co-convene ASIS 2024
- Taxing hunger in Iregba, by Lasisi Olagunju
- Rivers Hoopers finish BAL with best team record despite loss
- NNPC E&P, NOSL hit first oil in OML 13
- Cybersecurity Levy: Killing the masses softly, by Kazeem Akintunde