Ekiti State Government defends sack of Speaker’s aides

The Ekiti State government, yesterday defended the sacking of all the aides attached to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Adewale Omirin, and the Deputy Speaker, Adetunji Orisalade, saying its action was legal.In a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. B.M Alade, the state government listed those affected by the sack order to include Wole Olujobi-Special Adviser, Media to the Speaker; Ojobamikan Dele – Special Adviser (Political) to the Speaker; Lawrence Awelewa – Special Adviser (Special Duties) to the Speaker; Omirin Wande – Special Assistant to the Speaker on Youth Matters; Orija Samuel, Chief of Staff to the Speaker; Sanmi Adeeko, Personal Assistant to the Speaker; Taiwo Oluwaleye – Special Assistant to the Dep. Speaker on Media Matters and Adedipe Esther – Special Assistant to the Majority Leader on Media Matters.

The state government directed them to hand over all government property in their possession to the Clerk of the House with immediate effect.
Defending the sack ordered by the Governor, Ayodele Fayose yesterday at a media briefing, his Special Assistant on Information, Mr Lanre Ogunsuyi, said Fayose acted within the law enacted by the Assembly during the former governor Kayode Fayemi which gave the governor powers to appoint aides for political appointees.
“The governor has just revalidated the appointment made by the former governor; he has acted within the law and prerogative of the governor. It was the same House that passed the law that empowers the governor to fire and hire aides for the Speaker and his Deputy.”