By Gbenga Ojikutu
The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, has assured the members of the State House of Assembly that Governor Biodun Oyebanji will continually respect the sanctity of the Separation of Powers as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.
Mrs Afuye stated that the Governor as a thorough-bred democrat, would sustain the frictionless relationships existing between the Executive and Legislative Arms, for the task of making Ekiti a microcosm of development realisable .
The Ekiti’s number two citizen, gave the assurance, on Wednesday, while receiving members of the State House of Assembly Committee on Governor and Deputy Governor’s Office, led by its Chairman, Hon. Bosede Olowookere, who paid a working visit to her office in Ado Ekiti, the State capital.
Mrs Afuye, in a statement by her Special Assistant (Media), Victor Ogunje, saluted the legislators for establishing a water-forced partnership with Governor Oyebanji to ramp up the level of development in the State.
She pledged that the current government will always perceive the legislature as democratic ally, and not as inferior partner, appreciating the lawmakers for their solid backings for Governor Oyebanji in the realisation of the six-point agenda of his administration .
“On behalf of Mr Governor, I need to appreciate you for your support. The Seventh Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, has been outstanding in many respects.
“I specially appreciate the Speaker for coordinating you well. I am happy that since you came on board over a year ago, there wasn’t any case of infighting, or any reason for Mr Governor calling you to settle any rift. In fact, this is commendable.
“I am indeed impressed with the way you organised collective empowerment for our citizens to mark your first year in office. After that, some of you still went to your various constituencies to do another empowerment for our people.
“Please, I am pleading that some of you who have not been reaching out to the people in the area of empowerment should go and do so, no matter how little, our people will appreciate this. We thank you for being there for us always”.
In her submission, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Olowookere, applauded the Deputy Governor for her uncommon loyalty to the governor, saying this has helped to smoothen governance and usher in steady progress in the polity.
Describing Mrs Afuye as a symbol of humility, Olowookere, said she was impressed with the way the number two citizen conducted the recent sensitisation programme, leading to the unveiling of the N1 billion EKSG-Access bank soft loan to some major markets to sensitize businesswomen.
Speaking about the working visit to the Office, the Lawmaker, representing Efon Constituency, revealed that the mission offers a veritable leeway to interact with the top government’s functionaries as part of their oversight functions.
“This working visit was part of our oversight functions as a committed to ensure that we have good governance at every level of government.
“However, we have been following your contributions to the development of this state, you are really an asset to Ekiti. We are always proud of you, particularly with the way you have been supporting the Governor. You are really a unique personality”.
Other Assembly members present were: The lawmaker representing Ijero Constituency And Committee Vice Chairman, Hon. Ademola Ojo, and the lawmaker representing Ikere Constituency II, Hon. Tunde Idowu.
