Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has approved the immediate dissolution of boards, commissions, and parastatals across the state, while also terminating the appointments of all political appointees. The affected political appointees include Special Assistants, Senior Special Assistants, and Technical Assistants serving in the state government. This move comes ahead of Oyebanji's second term in office, set to commence on October 16, 2026.
A statement issued by the Governor's Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, said the decision was taken as the administration gradually winds down its first term. The move is expected to affect several government-appointed officials and members of boards across different agencies and parastatals. However, the governor made exceptions for certain statutory institutions whose leadership will remain in place despite the dissolution.
Among those excluded from the dissolution are the Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission, the Civil Service Commission, the House of Assembly Service Commission, and the Judicial Service Commission. The governing councils of state-owned tertiary institutions will also continue in their current form. According to the statement, the decision concerning the tertiary institutions is in line with an earlier directive by the governor.
Oyebanji also approved the retention of the chairmen of some key state agencies. The chairmen of the State Universal Basic Education Board, the Local Government Service Commission, and the Teaching Service Commission will remain in office. Their respective boards, however, have been dissolved. This arrangement means that while the leadership of the affected agencies will continue to function, the existing boards under them will no longer remain in place.
The governor also exempted Directors-General and Technical Advisers from the termination of political appointments. They will therefore continue in their respective positions as the administration prepares for the next phase of governance. The latest decision comes less than three weeks before Oyebanji is expected to begin his second term. The governor was sworn in as Ekiti State governor on October 16, 2022, and will commence another four-year tenure on October 16, 2026.
Oyebanji has been holding town hall meetings with residents and stakeholders across the state as part of preparations for the 2027 budget. At one of the meetings in Ekiti North Senatorial District, the governor said his second-term projects would focus on improving commerce, productivity, and economic activities across the state. He also said government spending would be directed towards areas such as healthcare, electricity, roads, and water.
The governor has also been consulting communities on their development priorities ahead of the 2027 budget. At a separate town hall meeting in Ekiti South Senatorial District, Oyebanji described the people of the state as his "benevolent employers". The consultations have featured traditional rulers, community leaders, youths, and other groups across the state. Several communities have used the meetings to request more attention to roads, electricity, water supply, healthcare, and security.
Key points
- Governor Oyebanji's administration has begun winding down its first term ahead of his second term in office.
- The dissolution of boards and termination of political appointments will affect several government-appointed officials and members of boards across different agencies and parastatals.
- Oyebanji's second-term projects will focus on improving commerce, productivity, and economic activities across the state.
