By Ismaeel Aleem
The Ekiti State House of Assembly has restated its commitment to good governance and sustainable development, rejecting claims that it merely serves as a “rubber stamp” for the executive.
In a statement released yesterday, the Assembly stressed that its members were elected to advance progress rather than engage in political squabbles or distractions.
The declaration comes against the backdrop of heightened political friction in the state, following accusations from a 2026 All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship hopeful, who alleged that Governor Biodun Oyebanji was stifling opposition within the party and intimidating party leaders to consolidate power ahead of the polls.
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Responding, the Assembly’s leadership emphasised that its primary duty is to pass laws and policies that improve the welfare of Ekiti residents, not to inflame partisan disputes.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, underscored recent legislative milestones, including bills targeting improvements in infrastructure, healthcare, and education.
“We are here to deliver the dividends of democracy,” Aribasoye said. “Our focus remains on supporting Governor Oyebanji’s developmental agenda, which reflects the aspirations of our people.”
The Assembly further highlighted Ekiti’s record of low levels of violence, as cited in a recent Enough is Enough (EiE) Nigeria report, attributing this to collaborative governance and effective community engagement.
The statement followed reports of a violent attack on the Ekiti State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Publicity Secretary, Jackson Adebayo, who was assaulted by suspected assassins in Ado-Ekiti and is currently receiving treatment.
The Assembly strongly condemned the incident, urging security agencies to investigate thoroughly and bring the perpetrators to justice, while reiterating that such violence has no place in the state’s pursuit of peace and progress.
Looking ahead, the Assembly noted ongoing initiatives such as the proposed Soil Assessment Laboratory in Ido/Osi and youth-focused agricultural programmes, which it said underscored Ekiti’s commitment to economic growth and innovation.
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It urged all stakeholders to work together for the state’s advancement, warning that divisive politics could undermine the collective goal of development and stability.
