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FG Set To Gazette Electoral Act, Remove Section Barring Political Appointees From Elections

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Attorney-General-of-the-Federation-and-Minister-of-Justice-Mr.-Abubakar-Malami
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Nigeria, AGF, Abubakar Malami
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The Federal Government says it will go ahead to gazette the Electoral Act 2022, but remove the contentious Section 84 (12) of the law.

Dr Umar Gwandu, a spokesman for the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, announced this in a statement on Friday.

He made the announcement hours after a Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia, Abia State ordered the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, to immediately delete the section of the Act.

“The office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice will accordingly give effect to the court judgment in line with the dictates of the law and the spirit of the judgment,” said Gwandu.

“The judgment of the court will be recognised by the government printers in printing the Electoral Act.

The Act will be gazetted factoring the effect of the judgment into consideration and deleting the constitutionally offensive provision accordingly.

“The provision of Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act 2022 is not part of our law and will be so treated accordingly.”

According to Gwandu, the government’s action is in line with the dictates of Chapter 7, Part 4, Section 287 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) on enforcement of decisions that makes it a point of duty and obligation on all authorities and persons to have the judgment of the Federal High Court, among others, to be enforced.

President Muhammadu Buhari assented to the Electoral Act 2022 on February 25, following a series of attempts by the National Assembly to amend the nation’s electoral laws.

He had, however, objected to the provisions of Section 84 (12), which read, “No political appointee at any level shall be voting delegate or be voted for at the Convention or Congress of any political party for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election.”

The President believes the section constitutes a disenfranchisement of serving political office holders from voting or being voted for at conventions or congresses of any political party, for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election in cases where it holds earlier than 30 days to the national election.

He later asked the Senate to amend the section of the Act, but the request was rejected by the lawmakers.

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Adubiaro Expresses Gratitude to Oyebanji Over Reappointment as Ekiti SSG

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Prof. Habibat Omolara Adubiaro
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Prof. Habibat Omolara Adubiaro has expressed profound gratitude to Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, for reappointing her as Secretary to the State Government (SSG), describing the renewed mandate as an honour and a call to greater service.

Adubiaro, in a statement issued following the announcement of her reappointment, appreciated the governor for the confidence reposed in her capacity, dedication and commitment to the development of the state.

She pledged continued loyalty, diligence and commitment to the ideals and objectives of the Oyebanji administration, assuring that she would work towards the successful implementation of its policies, programmes and development agenda.

The SSG said her renewed appointment offered another opportunity to contribute meaningfully to building a peaceful, prosperous and progressive Ekiti State.

She also expressed appreciation to the First Lady of Ekiti State, Prof. Olayemi Oyebanji, for her encouragement, support and contributions to the growth and development of the state.

Adubiaro extended her gratitude to the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Dr. Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe Aladesanmi III, and Olori Abosede Adejugbe for their goodwill, prayers and support, noting the important role of traditional institutions in promoting peace, unity, cultural heritage and sustainable development.

She equally appreciated the Grand Imam of Ekiti State and President-General of the League of Imams and Alfas in Southwestern Nigeria, including Edo and Delta States, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere, as well as the Muslim community in the state, for their prayers, spiritual guidance and encouragement.

The SSG also acknowledged the leadership and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for their solidarity and support, reaffirming her commitment to the ideals of the party and collaboration with political leaders, government officials and other stakeholders to advance the administration’s development agenda.

She did not leave out her family members, friends, associates and well-wishers, whom she thanked for their congratulatory messages, prayers and expressions of goodwill following the announcement of her reappointment.

Adubiaro further pledged to discharge her responsibilities with professionalism, accountability, transparency, teamwork, humility and integrity, stressing that she remained conscious of the high expectations associated with public service.

She assured the people of Ekiti State of her determination to work closely with relevant stakeholders to translate the governor’s vision into tangible benefits for residents.

The SSG also prayed for God’s continued guidance, wisdom, strength and good health for Governor Oyebanji, while seeking peace, unity and prosperity for the state’s traditional institutions, religious leaders, political stakeholders, public servants and residents.

She reiterated her resolve to justify the confidence reposed in her through dedicated service and an unwavering commitment to the progress and development of Ekiti State.

 

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Oyebanji Makes First Appointments in Second Term, Retains SSG, Chief of Staff, CPS

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Ekiti State Governor,Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji
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Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has made his first set of appointments following his inauguration for a second term in office, retaining three key members of his administration.

The governor approved the reappointment of Professor Habibat Adubiaro as Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Oyeniyi Adebayo as Chief of Staff, and Mr Olayinka Oyebode as Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor.

The appointments were announced on Friday, October 16, 2026, shortly after Oyebanji and his deputy, Chief (Mrs.) Monisade Christianah Afuye, were inaugurated for another term in office in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

According to a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Olayinka Oyebode, the appointments take immediate effect.

The decision to retain the three principal officials ensures continuity in key administrative, executive and communication positions as the governor begins his second term.

As Secretary to the State Government, Professor Adubiaro occupies a strategic position in the coordination of government policies, administrative processes and inter-agency relations.

Similarly, Adebayo, as Chief of Staff, is responsible for supporting the governor’s office and coordinating executive activities, while Oyebode oversees official communications and media relations for the state government.

The reappointments constitute the first official appointments announced by Oyebanji since his inauguration for a second term, signalling the continuation of the existing leadership structure in these critical offices.

The statement did not indicate whether further appointments would be announced in the coming days.

The announcement was signed by Olayinka Oyebode, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ekiti State.

 

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Bamidele Hails Oyebanji’s First Term, Says Peaceful Politics Drove Ekiti Development

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Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele
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Senate Leader and Chairman of the Ekiti State Governorship Campaign Council, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has described the first term of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji as remarkably peaceful, attributing the achievement to the governor’s humility, sense of duty and inclusive leadership style.

Bamidele said Oyebanji’s ability to foster cordial relationships among political stakeholders across the state had created an enabling environment for development and progress in Ekiti State.

The Senate Leader stated this in his welcome address at the second-term inauguration of Governor Oyebanji and his deputy, Chief (Mrs.) Monisade Christianah Afuye, in Ado-Ekiti.

He commended the governor for sustaining a peaceful political atmosphere, noting that cooperation among political leaders and stakeholders had contributed significantly to the state’s developmental strides.

Reflecting on Ekiti State’s political and developmental journey from the administration of its first civilian governor, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, through subsequent administrations, including that of former Governor Kayode Fayemi, Bamidele said Oyebanji had continued to strengthen the culture of political stability and peaceful coexistence.

He noted that the governor’s leadership approach had helped sustain a harmonious political environment, allowing the state to focus on governance and development rather than political divisions.

Bamidele further described Oyebanji’s re-election as a historic milestone, noting that the governor had broken a longstanding political barrier by becoming the first governor in Ekiti State to secure consecutive second-term mandates.

He expressed confidence that the governor’s second term would provide further opportunities to consolidate the achievements of his first administration and advance the development of the state.

 

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