…This is a renewal of contract and confidence, says Aribasoye.
Members of the seventh Ekiti State House of Assembly have unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye.
This action stemmed from a recent publication circulated on social media, suggesting that a clique outside the parliament was scheming to remove the leadership of the House.
Describing the publication as laughable and baseless, the members at plenary took turns to itemize evidence of outstanding performance, utmost loyalty, and productive collaboration exemplified by Aribasoye and the 7th Assembly in relating with the executive and legislating for the progress of Ekiti State.
The Assembly spokesperson, Hon. Tunde Oke, who first formally drew attention to the publication at the plenary, explained that it was imperative to reaffirm confidence in the House leadership despite the unintelligent postulations of the writer of the piece.
Hon. Hakeem Jamiu, in his submission, stated unequivocally that anyone or group nursing such thoughts should be sternly warned, as the agenda will consume them.
Hon. Iyabo Fakunle-Okieimen, Idowu Odebunmi, and Yomi Ayorinde called the publication a mere imagination of the writer, insisting there’s no crack within the 7th Assembly.
Also, Hon. Idowu Lawrence and Temitope Longe pointed out that a Speaker elected by the members cannot be unseated by faceless outsiders, adding that those formulating such narratives must have been intimidated by the profile of the Assembly and the cordiality with the executive.
Others, including Hon. Teju Okuyiga, Alhaja Maryam Ogunlade, Abimbola Solanke, Babatunde Omotayo, Bosede Olowookere, Kareem Agunbiade, and Oluwole Akanle, toed the path of earlier speakers, reassuring the Assembly helmsman that he has their unflinching support in the mission of responsible and responsive legislation.
Similarly, Hon. Femi Akindele, Femi Fatunla, Jacob Awoniyi, and Ayo Adegbite labeled the imaginary plot as one dead on arrival.
But Abiodun Fawekun and Demola Ojo opined that nothing should be left to chance, as they challenged any member possibly playing the traitor’s role to get purged of such.
After all submissions, the Majority Leader, Hon. Tolulope Ige, expressed confidence that members have been able to again convince themselves that the House is harmonious, transparent, and cerebral.
Seconded by Hon. Akindele, the Majority Leader moved a motion for a vote of confidence on the Speaker, a call that was unanimously embraced with a loud and standing ovation by all the members.
Overwhelmed by the affirmation of support, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Aribasoye, stated that the unity, uniformity, trust, and drive for development and parliamentary dignity constantly displayed by the 7th Assembly is impressive and legendary.
He likened the vote of confidence passed on him to a renewal of the social contract he signed with his colleagues when they elected him Speaker on the 6th of June, 2023, calling on them to ensure the continuity of the towering achievements of the 7th Assembly.
He saluted the Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, for believing in the leadership of the Assembly and his consistent commitment to according the legislature the respect it deserves.
Babajide Agbeyo
Special Adviser (Media) to the Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly.
