BY ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA
This month’s edition of the EKITI ASSEMBLY captures events that happened in the Parliament of Ekiti State in the last one month.
Although plenaries, plenaries committee meetings were far and few in between, some remarkable events that would shape the future of the state happened which are noteworthy.
The Six Assembly (2019-2023) is already on its home stretch with its tenure due to end in the month of June to pave the way for the inauguration of the Seventh Assembly (2023-2027).
1. LULL IN ASSEMBLY AS GENERAL ELECTIONS TAKE CENTRE STAGE
The Ekiti State House of Assembly has witnessed a lull in its activities in the last one month as it falls within the time campaign activities for the 2023 general elections reached a peak.
The last plenary of the Assembly was on 17th February, 2023 when the legislators passed a resolution calling on the Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to comply with the order of the Supreme Court to allow both old and new Naira notes to be in circulation together.
Majority of the members of the Sixth Assembly were on the field to canvass support and votes for the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in their various constituencies.
The legislators led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olubunmi Adelugba, were involved in house-to-house campaign and outreach to places like markets, village squares, palaces and other public places since every politics is local.
There was the compelling need to deliver their various constituencies for a Tinubu victory and the election of all the APC National Assembly candidates in line with the call of Governor Biodun Oyebanji that Ekiti State should key into the Asiwaju presidential project and emergence of federal legislators from the state who would work with the President-elect to move the country forward.
The declaration of the APC flag bearer as the President-elect elicited joy in the camp of the legislators and the joy resonated across the twenty six (26) constituencies.
Besides, the Assembly members who won the re-election tickets of their party were also busy on the field canvassing for votes from eligible voters in their constituencies.
2. HISTORY AS SIX WOMEN WIN SEATS INTO SEVENTH ASSEMBLY
The emerging Seventh Assembly (2023-2027) promises to be a unique one in the history of Ekiti State, the Land of Honour and Nigeria as a whole.
The uniqueness lies in the fact that the Assembly is witnessing the election of highest number of women in one election cycle. The feat has become a talking point within and outside the country especially on various social media platforms.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) as a party deserves plaudits and applause for giving its platform for the women to win election for them to contribute their own quota to the development of their state as elected legislators.
Also, the immediate past Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi and the incumbent Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji are also pivotal to the legislative history and landmark being witnessed in Ekiti State.
The foundation of the women legislative ascendancy was laid with the current Six Assembly (2019-2023) which has four women and it peaked with the election of one of them, Rt. Hon. Olubunmi Adelugba as the Speaker on 21st November, 2022.
Out of the six APC women candidates who won election into the Seventh Assembly (2023-2027), one of them (Princess Adeteju Okuyiga) would be a ranking member (returning for a second term in office).
The lucky six are: Mrs. Bolaji Olagbaju (Ado Constituency 2), Princess Iyabo Fakunle-Okieimen (Ilejemeje Constituency), Alhaja Mariam Ogunlade (Emure Constituency), Mrs. Abimbola Solanke (Moba Constituency 1), Mrs. Bosede Olowookere (Efon Constituency) and Princess Adeteju Okuyiga (Ayekire/Gbonyin Constituency).
The Ekiti Assembly, especially the Fourth Assembly (2011-2015) and the Sixth Assembly (2019-2023) which worked with former Governor Fayemi during his first and second terms of office with Erelu Fayemi as the First Lady, acquired local and global renown for promoting women empowerment with legislative frameworks and enabling laws and the results are the high offices Ekiti women are presently occupying.
It is worthy of note that in Ekiti of today, women are occupying key offices of Deputy Governor, Speaker, Secretary to the State Government, Accountant General, President, Customary Court of Appeal and Auditor General for Local Governments, among others.
All eyes are on the LUCKY SIX as members of the Seventh Assembly resume office in June 2023.
3. MADAM SPEAKER NOMINATED FOR ICAN MERIT AWARD
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) has nominated the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olubunmi Adelugba for its 2023 Merit Award (Members’ Category).
The ICAN Governing Council approved the nomination of the Ekiti Speaker among other distinguished members of the profession who have excelled in the practice.
The award ceremony will hold in Lagos on 6th May, 2023 when Rt. Hon. Adelugba and other awardees will receive the honour of the premier body of accountants.
The letter conveying the intent to honour Rt. Hon. Adelugba, who is a chartered accountant, was signed by ICAN Registrar/Chief Executive, Prof. Ahmed Kumshe in which the virtues of the Speaker was acknowledged
ICAN said the honour to be bestowed on Adelugba “was in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the ideals of the Institute which include accountability, integrity and honesty.
The prestigious body of accountants is delighted at Rt. Hon. Adelugba’s exemplary leadership qualities, commitment to human capital development and nation building particularly her selfless service to the growth of accountancy profession in Nigeria.
The letter reads in part: “Nominations were received from members of the Institute and they were carefully reviewed by Awards Committee which came up with the final recommendations to the Council.
“It is our hope that you will continue to uphold the ideals for which you were nominated for the award.”
*Ogunmola is Special Adviser (Media) to the Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly.