EKHA: Fayemi promises mutual respect

From Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti

The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on Thursday inaugurated the sixth State Assembly, with a promise to relate with the lawmakers with mutual respect.

The governor said he would respect the doctrine of separation of powers, by not making the legislature an appendage of the executive.

Members of the assembly in their first sitting elected the former Leader of Government Business in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Mr. Funniniyi Afuye as  the Speaker of the 6th Assembly.

In the same vein, former Senior Special Assistant on Research and Documentation to Governor Kayode Fayemi, Hon. Hakeem Jamiu, was unanimously elected the Deputy Speaker.

The immediate past Majority Leader, Hon Gboyega Aribisigan (Ikole 1) retained his position, while Hon. Tajudeen Akingbolu (Ekiti West 1) and Hon Bunmi Adelugba(Emure), emerged Deputy Leader and Chip whip respectively.

Addressing the lawmakers, Fayemi said he would partner them in ensuring that the project Ekiti does not fail

The governor charged those appointed into positions in the assembly to perform their duties with utmost dedication and trust, for them to earn the respect of their colleagues.

In his acceptance speech, the new speaker Hon. Afuye added that he will be eternally grateful to Ekiti people for the confidence reposed in them, leading to the election of All Progressives Congress candidates across the 26 state assembly seats of the state.

Afuye who is also a former Commissioner for Information is representing Ikere Constituency 1, while Jamiu is representing Irepodun/Ifelodun constituency II.

Afuye was a member of the assembly between 2007 and 2011 under the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria(ACN) .

Afuye was first elected the Leader of Opposition in 2007 when Segun Oni was in the saddle, due to the 13-13 equal configuration between ACN and the Peoples Democratic Party in the then assembly.