Ekiti Assembly confirms Oyebode, Apata as commissioners, approves 10 aides

By Boye Oyeyemi

The Ekiti State House of Assembly has confirmed the appointments of Akintunde Oyebode and Dayo Apata, SAN, as commissioners and approved Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s request to appoint 10 special advisers.

The lawmakers confirmed the nominees during plenary on Wednesday, following their screening by the House. Oyebanji had submitted their names to the assembly on Monday for consideration.

Oyebode is expected to return as Commissioner for Finance, a position he held during the administration’s first term, while Apata is set to continue as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

Moving the motion for their confirmation, the Speaker, Adeoye Aribasoye, said both nominees were familiar with the legislative process, having appeared before the house on previous occasions to defend their records and present their stewardship accounts.

Aribasoye subsequently urged the lawmakers to allow the nominees to “take a bow and go”, a proposal unanimously supported by members before their appointments were confirmed.

Meanwhile, the assembly postponed the screening of another commissioner-nominee, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, after receiving notice that he would be unable to attend the sitting. The Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Babatunde Oke, said the exercise had been rescheduled for Monday, November 2, 2026.

The lawmakers also approved Oyebanji’s request to appoint 10 special advisers to support the government’s activities across key sectors of the state.

In a related development, the assembly commenced consideration of the 2026 Supplementary Appropriation Bill. After the bill passed its second reading, the speaker referred it to the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation for further scrutiny, with other relevant committees assigned to assist in the exercise.