Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has debunked speculations that he was under pressure from ex-governor Kayode Fayemi or his wife, Erelu Bisi, to appoint their men into his executive council (Exco).
He was responding to social media reports.
Oyebanji urged people to desist from speculative reporting.
He spoke yesterday in Ado-Ekiti at the inauguration of the Secretary to State Government, Dr. Habibat Adubiaro and the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Dayo Apata (SAN).
The governor said Exco members would be appointed on merit, adding that he had promised the people that they (Exco members) would be the best set of individuals that would assist him in fulfilling his electoral promises to the people.
He said: “While I recognise the right of people to freedom of expression, I also have the right to respond to the fake news being circulated on social media. Having listened to the CVs of the two appointees, you will discover that they got this job on merit. My promise to Ekiti people is that I am going to look for the best anywhere to help me run Ekiti. This is what we are going to do.
“We are not going to be distracted as long as we are doing what is right in the interest of our people. But, I need to put it on record that neither the former governor nor his wife, nor the former deputy governor has put any pressure on me to appoint anybody. But if I have to go back to the former Exco and appoint relevant people that can assist me, I will go and pick them.”
Oyebanji, who said the newly- inaugurated appointees were appointed based on their rich credentials and vast experience, restated his promise to get competent Ekiti indigenes wherever they are to man strategic positions in his administration.
Expressing confidence in the competence of Adubiaro, the governor said her appointment was in consonance with his administration’s commitment to gender balance, affirmative action and equity.
He urged the duo to develop a robust policy engagement platform where policy stakeholders could learn, interact, engage, review and evaluate government plans and programmes from time to time to achieve the objectives of his administration.
Responding on behalf of the duo, Apata assured the governor that they would live a life of dedication, commitment, integrity and loyalty in discharging their responsibilities.
He thanked the governor for the appointment, saying they would key into the vision and mission of his administration and add value to the progress of the state.