Ekiti Assembly confirms nomination of Akintayo as SIEC boss

Ekiti State House of Assembly, yesterday, confirmed the nomination of a retired judge of the State High Court, Justice Cornelius Ilori Akintayo, as the new Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC).

Akintayo, who was ushered into the chamber of the House by the Sergeant-at-Arm, was asked to take a bow, having been found worthy of the new position by the legislators during the screening by the committee of the whole House.

The Speaker, Olubunmi Adelugba, subjected the nomination to a voice-vote with all the legislators at the plenary saying “ayes” to the confirmation of the nominee as the new SIEC boss.

The members who spoke favour of his confirmation included the Deputy Speaker, Hakeem Jamiu; Mr Femi Akindele, Mr Akin Oso, Mr Tajudeen Akingbolu and Adeoye Aribasoye.

The lawmakers said having been found as a competent and incorruptible judge in the course of his judicial career, Justice Akintayo would serve as an unbiased electoral umpire as the chair of the state electoral agency.

The process of his confirmation started when the Speaker read a letter forwarded to the Assembly by Governor Oyebanji seeking the confirmation of the nominee as the chair of the state electoral agency for a term of five years as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

Speaking before the nominee was given the privilege of taking a bow and leave the hallowed chambers, the Speaker urged Ekiti youths to emulate personalities like Justice Akintayo whom he noted exhibited patience, hard work, integrity and competence to be nominated for a position of honour after retirement from service.

Adelugba said: “No doubt, we can see him (Akintayo) as a role model. My colleagues, have spoken, those who know him from the Bar have spoken and I want our young ones to learn from his story, the way he rose from being a court bailiff to where he is today.

“Everytime Governor Biodun Oyebanji sends nominees to us, when we look at their CVs, you will know that they merit the positions they are being nominated for. All of us have agreed that he is a round peg in a round hole and he should be allowed to take a bow and go.”

Other key positions held by the new SIEC Chairman in the course of his career included Director of Civil Litigation, Ministry of Justice; Solicitor General/Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice; national assignments of membership of Election Petitions Tribunal in Bauchi, Jigawa and Abia States and Chairman, Local Government Election Petition Tribunal in Ekiti State.

He also served as the Chairman of the Ekiti State Judicial Panel of Inquiry into Human Rights Abuses perpetrated by the Operatives of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) under the administration of the immediate past Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, among others.