Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly , Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye has cut short his tour of southwest states in Nigeria due to the tragic murder of two monarchs and abduction of school children in Ekiti state.
Aribasoye had on Monday commenced the tour in his capacity as Chairman Southwest Conference of Speakers with the aim of having interactions with assembly speakers across the southwest and governors who might be available for interface.
But the news of the tragedy at home met the speaker in Oyo state , forcing him and his team to halt the journey and suspend the trip to Ogun and Lagos States which were the remaining states to cover, heading back home to address the current emergency.
The meetings earlier held in Ondo, Osun and Oyo states were deeply engaging as the Southwest Speakers Conference helmsman , Rt. Hon. Aribasoye deliberated with his counterparts on the imperatives of having harmonised legislation as part of the regional agenda for the southwest.
Operating a united legislative front for security advantage,
pushing for full legislative autonomy as guaranteed by the constitution and entrenching the culture of executive – legislature cordiality were other matters extensively discussed.
The meetings also deliberated on the upcoming Southwest Conference of Speakers Summit holding in February where critical issues would be up for discussion.
Aribasoye accompanied by eight lawmakers from Ekiti state visited the Ondo State governor , Lucky Ayedatiwa
to commiserate with him on the death of the late governor of the state , Rotimi Akeredolu and also solicit his support for the regional legislative agenda.
He also engaged the Governor Oyo State, Seyi Makinde calling his attention to security issues, legislative autonomy and the need to give full support to Development Agenda for Western Nigeria, DAWN Commission.
He was equally billed to meet with the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria EU- SDGN and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung foundation but had to put off the meeting due to the Ekiti incident.
Meanwhile the Ekiti Speaker and members have commenced condolence visits to the various towns affected by the murder of two monarchs and kidnap of school children.
The speaker promised that the house will connect effectively with the executive, security agencies and other top stakeholders to ensure all perpetrators of the Ekiti tragedy are punished.
Babajide Agbeyo
Special Adviser (Media) to the Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly.