Ajimobi Inaugurates New LG Chairs, Insists Council Election Will Hold When Court Case Is Settled

Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi on Friday
assured the people of the state that elections into the 33
local governments and 35 local council development areas
(LCDAs) would be held as soon as the suit against it was
settled.
He gave the assurance while inaugurating the caretaker
chairmen for 55 local governments and local council
development areas in the state at the Executive Council
Chambers, Governor’s Office, Ibadan.
A Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice John
Tsoho had in January 2017 ordered the Oyo State
Independent Election Commission (OYSIEC) not to proceed
with its plan to conduct the election earlier slated for
February 11.
The order was sequel to a motion ex-parte filed on behalf of
16 Baales from Oyo Federal Constituency by their lawyer,
Mr. Ahmed Raji, SAN, pursuant to the creation of 35 LCDAs
in the state.
But the governor maintained at the inauguration ceremony
that immediately the case was settled, the much-
anticipated local government election would hold.
“The day the court case is settled is the day we will
announce the date of election,’’ he said, urging the new
chairmen to perform exemplarily so as to be worthy of
being voted anytime the election would be held.
“The only advantage you have now as you have been sworn
in is that you can quickly do things that will endear you to
your people before election.
“You are caretakers, holding forth for others and your tenure
is temporary. So be rest assured that your good work will
be your certificate of retention. If you fail to work well, we
will remove you,” he said.
Ajimobi also advised the new council bosses not to see
their appointment as an opportunity for them to line their
pockets with public funds, reminding them of the oath of
office which they took to maintain faithfulness with tenets
of governance and adhere to rule of law as well as the
principle of confidentiality.
He posited that human satisfaction resides in public service
and that those who have the opportunity to serve their
people, especially those in dire need at the grassroots
should do so wholeheartedly as they would be adding value
to the system.
“There is a lot of satisfaction in public service, especially
when you serve those in real need of it at the grassroots. A
leader must not only visualise, he must also have courage
to reject what is wrong.
“Remember the oath of allegiance you just took which has
to do with faithfulness. Your action must be according to
the law, act without fear or favour and do everything in
adherence to the principle of confidentiality,’’ he counseled.
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Chief Bosun Ajuwon of
Ibadan North-West Local Government expressed
appreciation to the governor and the ruling All Progressives
Party (APC) in the state for the trust reposed in them.
He promised that the new council bosses would deliver on
the promises of the Ajimobi-led administration to ensure
better life for the people at the grassroots.