Cross-Section of Newly Sworn-In Local Government Caretaker Chairmen, taking their Oath of office, in Ado-Ekiti.
Ekiti State government has expressed its determination to conduct local government elections in the state later this year.
The State governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, stated this during the inauguration of caretaker chairmen of the 16 local councils in the state in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday.
Plans by the Fayemi administration to conduct the local government election in 2012 was aborted by a law suit instituted against the State Independent electoral Commission (SIEC) by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Fayemi however told a cheery crowd of supporters at the Jibowu Hall, venue of the inauguration that the legal encumbrances in the way of the conduct of the council poll were being resolved.
“Our administration is therefore determined to hold local government elections before the end of 2014 by the grace of God”, the Governor said, adding that his administration is committed to representative democracy at the local government level.
Urging the citizens of the state to be alive to their civil responsibilities especially as the governorship election takes place in the state by June, Governor Fayemi stressed the importance of the citizens’ participation in the various exercises outlined by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), notably the Distribution of Permanent Voters Card (March 7-9), continuous voters registration (March 12 -19), among others.
The Governor who noted that the administration placed much importance on the quality of personnel at the helms of affairs in the council areas, urged the new council chairmen to be close to the people for whom they were appointed to serve. “We have carefully chosen men and
women of repute who have very good understanding of the goals of this administration and have the capacity to carry all stakeholders along towards achieving them” he added.
He explained that in furtherance of the administration’s engagement with the citizens, the administration is kickstarting the local government stakeholders Forum aimed at consolidating the government’s feedback mechanism, “and further institutionalise inclusion in the
governance of Ekiti”.
He charged the new council bosses to strife to perform creditably, reminding them of the need to ensure transparency, diligence and commitment to growth and development.
Last modified: February 19, 2014