Ekiti governor dissolves political appointments and most state boards

Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has approved the immediate dissolution of boards, commissions and parastatals and terminated the appointments of political appointees ahead of his second-term inauguration. The decision affects special assistants, senior special assistants and technical assistants, among other political appointees. Oyebanji won the state’s June 20 governorship election and is due to be sworn in for a second term on October 16.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, the changes were necessary because the governor’s first term was gradually coming to an end. Oyebanji thanked the affected appointees for their contributions to his administration and service to Ekiti State. The dissolution does not cover the chairmen and members of several statutory boards.

The exemptions include the State Independent Electoral Commission, Civil Service Commission, House of Assembly Service Commission and Judicial Service Commission. The governing councils of all state-owned tertiary institutions will also remain in place, in line with earlier directives from the governor. The chairmen of the State Universal Basic Education Board, Local Government Service Commission and Teaching Service Commission are likewise to remain in office, although their respective boards have been dissolved.

Directors-general and technical advisers to the governor are also excluded from the termination of appointments. The announcement therefore separates the dissolution of a number of boards from the continued tenure of certain officials and institutional bodies. Oyebanji wished those whose appointments ended success in their future endeavours.

The statement did not announce replacement appointments or provide a timetable for reconstituting the dissolved boards and parastatals.