Ten days after the governor of Ekiti state, Dr Kayode Fayemi swore-in four members of his cabinet, inaugural executive council (Exco) meeting has been held with a charge to members to work for the progress of the state.
Fayemi, who expressed his determination to leave behind a worthy legacy for the people of the state, advised members who could not abide by the popular decision of the council to resign and seize to be a member of the council.
While urging members to consider the interest of the state above personal interest, the governor stressed the need for his administration to urgently deliver the promises made to the people during his electioneering campaign.
His word, “We have only been here barely three weeks, we have spent a better part of last week receiving briefings from the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies. And we have also spent our time inspecting various projects across the state. Between the time we were sworn in and now, we have taking some steps to issue specific executive orders to address matters which we have either pledged ourselves through the course of the campaign or in the inaugural speech that I made when being sworn in, and this is relating to the cancellation of education levies and restoration of free and compulsory education in our primary and secondary schools. As well as instituting visitation panels to the various tertiary institutions in the state that we considered are not performing optimally.
“I urge you to take this high decision-making body as important. We do not generally condone certain behavior particularly on issues relating to punctuality and strict adherence to collective decision, that is extremely important. Once a decision is taking by this council, that decision is binding on all of its members and if you are not in agreement with that decision, the best advice that I have for such member is to resign and seize to be a member of this executive council. Once you have not done so, and you were present, even when you are not present, this council has taking a decision, that decision is binding on all, that is the duty we owe this government of which you are a member, because it goes by the principle of collective responsibility and that does not need any explanation.
“So I urge members to take seriously what we do here, if you step out of here, even if you are the most vociferous opposition inside here when we have the discussion, as you step out of here, your defense must equally be as vociferous as your opposition during the meeting.
The governor also announced that a fact finding panel for Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital would soon be put in place.
The governor also made the new exco members to swear to oaths of secrecy to ensure that whatever they discuss at the meeting remain within members
Members at the meeting are the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Wale Fapohunda; Commissioner of Finance and Economic Development, , Mr Dapo Kolawole; Secretary to the State Government, Mr Biodun Oyebanji; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Biodun Omoleye and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Yinka Oyebode.
