Oyebanji Dissolves Ekiti Cabinet Ahead of Second-Term Inauguration, Retains Three Aides
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has dissolved the State Executive Council as his administration prepares for a second term in office, scheduled to begin on Friday, October 16, 2026.
The dissolution affects commissioners and other members of the outgoing cabinet who served during the governor’s first term from 2022 to 2026. However, three senior officials have been retained to continue in their respective positions.
They are the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Habibat Adubiaro; the Chief of Staff, Oyeniyi Adebayo; and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Yinka Oyebode.
The governor announced the dissolution on Monday, October 12, during a valedictory meeting with members of the State Executive Council at the Executive Council Chamber of the Government House in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
According to a statement issued by the governor’s office, the decision forms part of the administrative process of winding down the first-term administration, which ends on October 15.
During the meeting, Oyebanji expressed appreciation to the outgoing commissioners and other council members for their service, dedication and contributions to the development of Ekiti State over the past four years.
He acknowledged their roles in implementing government policies and programmes, noting that their efforts had contributed to the achievements recorded by his administration.
The governor also thanked the officials for their support throughout his first term and assured them that he would maintain contact with them after their departure from the cabinet.
Members of the outgoing council, in their separate remarks, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and reflected on their experiences working with the administration.
The dissolution comes days before Oyebanji’s second-term inauguration, following his re-election in the June 20, 2026 governorship election.
He was first sworn in as governor on October 16, 2022. His new four-year tenure is scheduled to begin with an inauguration ceremony at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion in Ado-Ekiti.
With the outgoing cabinet now dissolved, attention is expected to turn to the governor’s decisions on the composition of the next State Executive Council.
The appointment of commissioners and other political office holders will be important to the administration’s plans for its next term, particularly as residents look to the government for continued progress in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture and economic development.
However, no complete list of new commissioners had been announced in the reports available at the time of publication.
The retention of the Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff and Chief Press Secretary provides continuity in key administrative, coordination and communication roles as the state prepares for the next phase of Oyebanji’s leadership.
The governor’s second term officially begins with his scheduled inauguration on October 16, 2026.