Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has inaugurated the sixth Ekiti House of Assembly with an assurance that his administration will continue to provide conducive environment for the legislature to perform her statutory functions effectively.
Dr Fayemi who reiterated his commitment to leave the State much better than he met it, said all hands must be on deck to “jointly restore the lost glory of Ekiti State with sincerity of purpose and uncommon dedication”.
Stressing that he neither desire a rubberstamp legislature nor a cantankerous one, Governor Fayemi said the relationship between the legislative and the executive arms of government has to be properly nurtured for mutual understanding and optimal performance.
He added that such working relationship would henceforth be subjected to an annual executive-legislative retreat aimed at reviewing progress.
“Our Government will continue to promote harmonious working relationship with the legislature while maintaining their institutional independence. You can be assured of our avowed commitment to honouring the Principle of mutual respect and accountability in your day to day activities as enshrined in the Constitution.”
“Our Government is rebuilding Ekiti from the rubbles of yesterday. We are in a hurry to develop the State and give a new lease of life to our people. I count on the support of the legislature towards achieving the five pillars of this administration. As one political family and critical stakeholders in Ekiti restoration project, all the arms of government must work together to deliver the dividends of democracy to our People”, Fayemi said.
Fayemi who proclaimed the sixth assembly at 10:44am, urged the new lawmakers not to forget Ekiti people who elected them into office. He advised them to carry out their constitutional duties with the larger interest of Ekiti people in mind.
Earlier in his speech, the Speaker of the new Assembly, Rt. Hon. Funminiyi Afuye thanked members for electing him as Speaker, adding that he would not compromise the confidence reposed in him, but will be just, fair and firm in discharging his duties.
While thanking Governor Fayemi for being a democrat and respecter of institutions, the new Speaker.
Afuye who was a member of the Third Assembly and later Commissioner for Information, however said that the Assembly would not be in “unhealthy, perpetual and unnecessary struggle and opposition to the executive arm of government”; assuring that the Assembly will work with the Fayemi-led administration for the good of the people.
“The authors of the doctrine and principles of separation of powers never envisaged this unhealthy, if not destructive aberration. While the doctrine espouses the coeval and coordinate equality of the three arms of government for the purpose of checks and balances, its golden interpretation should be substantial intergovernmental cooperation and collaboration. This does not mean that the legislature should be a rubber stamp and lapdog of the other arms of government especially the executive. It is however our belief that reasoned and informed debates should reign, rather than unbridled and cantankerous opposition to the executive”, he said.
Other principal officers of the Assembly elected at the event are Hon. Hakeem Jamiu who was elected Deputy Speaker, Hon. Gboyega Aribisogan (Majority Leader), Hon Tajudeen Akingbolu (Deputy Majority Leader), Hon. Bunmi Adelugba is the Chief Whip while Hon. Tope Ogunleye Deputises her.
