Oyebanji Dissolves Ekiti Cabinet Ahead of Second Term, but Three Officials Escape the Political Exit Door

ADO-EKITI, Nigeria — In a political reshuffle that has turned the Ekiti State Government House into a temporary waiting room for fresh appointments, Governor Biodun Oyebanji has dissolved his State Executive Council ahead of his second-term inauguration on Friday, October 16, 2026. However, while commissioners and special advisers prepare to leave their positions, three key officials have retained their seats, demonstrating that when an administration closes one chapter, not everyone necessarily loses their place in the next.

The announcement was made on Monday, October 12, during a valedictory session at the Executive Council Chamber in Ado-Ekiti. The affected cabinet members reportedly used the occasion to reflect on their experiences, thank the governor for the opportunity to serve and commend his leadership. In the theatre of politics, where the end of an administration can resemble a game of musical chairs, three officials have discovered that their seats are staying firmly in place.

Ekiti Governor Retains Three Senior Officials as Cabinet Members Leave Office

The dissolution does not affect the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Habibat Adubiaro; the Chief of Staff, Mr Niyi Adebayo; or the Chief Press Secretary, Mr Yinka Oyebode. All three will remain in their respective positions as the governor prepares to begin another four-year term.

For the outgoing commissioners and special advisers, however, the situation is different. Their departure marks the end of their current appointments, although the dissolution does not automatically determine whether any of them could return in another capacity. The governor now has an opportunity to decide how his next cabinet will be constituted, leaving political observers and prospective appointees to watch for clues about the administration’s next move.

The satirical twist is that, while some officials are preparing to exchange their government offices for new opportunities, three others can continue working without the immediate uncertainty of a fresh appointment. In a system where political loyalty, experience and administrative continuity can all matter, the question is not simply who is leaving, but who will be invited back when the new cabinet takes shape.

Second-Term Preparations Bring an Administrative Reset

According to a statement attributed to the Chief Press Secretary, the dissolution is part of the administrative process of winding down the governor’s first term, which ends on Thursday, October 15. Oyebanji’s second-term inauguration is scheduled for Friday, October 16, at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion in Ado-Ekiti.

The cabinet dissolution follows an earlier decision announced in September to dissolve boards, commissions and parastatals and terminate the appointments of political appointees, subject to specified exemptions. These developments point to a broader administrative transition rather than an isolated change affecting commissioners alone. The government is preparing its institutional structure for the next four years, although the final composition of the incoming cabinet remains a matter for the governor to determine.

Oyebanji was first inaugurated as governor on October 16, 2022, and secured re-election in the June 20, 2026, governorship election. His return gives the administration an opportunity to maintain continuity while adjusting its personnel and priorities. The challenge will be to turn the political reset into measurable improvements in public services, infrastructure, employment and other areas that directly affect Ekiti residents.

The valedictory session may have included expressions of gratitude and reflections on achievements, but the real test of the transition will come after the inauguration. Commendations at a farewell meeting are one thing; delivering results during another four-year mandate is quite another.

Conclusion: Oyebanji’s cabinet dissolution marks the formal close of his first-term executive team and opens the door to a new phase of political and administrative decision-making. While three senior officials have retained their positions, the fate of the outgoing cabinet members and the identities of those who may join the next team remain key questions. As Ekiti prepares for the October 16 inauguration, readers should watch out for future updates on the story from OGM News NG.Background check:

The key details in the report are consistent with recent reporting on the cabinet dissolution, the retention of three senior officials and the planned inauguration. The state government also announced the dissolution of boards and the termination of appointments for political appointees in September. These developments support the description of the cabinet dissolution as part of a wider administrative transition.