Date: August 11, 2025
Location: Ado‑Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
Governor Biodun Oyebanji has officially dissolved the Ekiti State Executive Council with immediate effect. The announcement was made in a statement released by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Habibat Adubiaro.
All affected members of the cabinet, including Commissioners and Special Advisers, have been instructed to hand over their responsibilities to the Permanent Secretaries or the most senior civil servants in their respective Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Despite the wide-reaching nature of the dissolution, several key officials have been retained. These include:
- The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice
- The Commissioners for Health and Human Services; Agriculture and Food Security; Education; Works; Trade, Investment, Industry and Cooperatives
- Special Advisers on Special Education and Social Inclusion, and Lands, Survey and e‑GIS
- All Directors‑General serving on the Executive Council, including those for the Office of Transformation and Service Delivery (OTSD), SDGs and Project Monitoring, and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP)
In his message, Governor Oyebanji expressed gratitude to the outgoing cabinet members and wished them success in their future endeavors. However, he did not provide a specific reason for the dissolution.
Political observers suggest that the move may be a strategic realignment ahead of the gubernatorial primaries slated for October 2, 2025.
Context: Executive Council Reshuffles in Nigeria
In Nigeria, dissolving a State Executive Council is a constitutionally supported practice. Governors often employ it to restructure their administration, rejuvenate leadership, or align government priorities with political goals or changing dynamics.
What This Means Going Forward
- Operational Continuity: The retention of key commissioners and directors-general suggests a focus on maintaining stability in critical sectors.
- Administrative Reset: The dissolution creates an opportunity for new appointments, potentially bringing in individuals aligned with the governor’s evolving vision or political strategy.
- Political Strategy: With elections approaching, the shake-up may serve as groundwork for building a new team that aligns with Governor Oyebanji’s political ambitions or party directives.
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