New poll to hold in Ekiti

Despite the opposition being mounted by the incoming Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, government, against the creation of 18 Local Government Development Areas, LCDAs, Ekiti State House of Assembly yesterday directed the State Independent Electoral Commission, SIEC, to conduct a referendum on the matter.




The House at its plenary session on Wednesday in Ado Ekiti also transferred the bill on the creation of 18 local councils to its ad hoc committee for further legislative action.
This followed the motion by the House Majority Leader, Hon Churchill Adedipe and seconded by Hon Ogundele Folorunso. Adedipe explained that the motion was aimed at ensuring that proper thing was done on the proposed councils in the state.

While the only PDP member in the Assembly, Hon Ajibola Samuel in his contribution, objected to the move, saying the House should stop further action on the bill.
Ajibola who is representing Ekiti East Constituency 2, cited Order 54 Section 5 of the House Standing Order which forbids the House from discussing issues already before a law court to buttress his point.

But the House Deputy Speaker, Hon Orisalade Adetunji and Hon Ayodeji Odu however countered his objection, insisting that the House was unaware of any case on the issue. While the Speaker of the House, Dr Adewale Omirin agreed with the submissions of the two lawmakers and the motion was overwhelmingly approved by members of the House.

Meanwhile, the state government has called on communities with reservations on the siting of the headquarters of the proposed councils to properly present their position during the referendum that is required to complete the process of creating the LCDAs.
Speaking in Ado Ekiti, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Ganiyu Owolabi noted that government’s decision was based on the yearning of the people and determination to ensure a rapid development of the state.