JDPI Holds Tripartite Meeting with NUJ, Ekiti Council of Elders to Hold Ekiti Govt Accountable

Justice, Development and Peace Initiative, JDPI, of the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti, on Wednesday, 9th August 2023 held a tripartite meeting with the Nigeria Union of Journalists and the Ekiti Council of Elders on ways to hold the state government accountable. 

In his opening remarks, Director of JDPI in Ekiti, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Akingbade said the reason for the meeting was to hold Governor Biodun Oyebanji accountable on his campaign manifesto to the people of the state.

According to him, meetings have been held between JDPI and the Chief Press Secretary to the state government on erecting a billboard at strategic locations in the state that will outline the 10-point policy trust to the people. 

On his part, Chairman, NUJ Ekiti State Council, Comrade Rotimi Ojomoyela commended JDPI for their giant strides so far adding that the tripartite meeting is coming at a time when government business has assumed fully. 

His words: “It’s coming at a time when the activities of the government has assumed full throttle. They have just two years of active governance. He is not moving and doesn’t expect people not to complain. Governance is beyond palliatives, payment of salaries, and filling of potholes.”

Similarly, Rev. Fr. Akingbade said holding the government accountable is an exercise for everyone adding that they will assess the Ekiti State governor based on his campaign promises and constitutional obligations. 

He said: “Holding government accountable is an exercise we have started. Let us involve the government in the conversation. We are now saying, let us access and redefine our assessment tools and come together. 

“We are saying from what he gave us and what the constitution said he should do. How will we assess him based on what he said he would do.”

Also, the Assistant Director of JDPI, Rev. Sis. Agatha Ogbuagu said “we are getting the feedback of the people and feeding the government back and let the people know what the government said they have done.”

The Tripartite Meeting resolved to engage in a survey of the 16 LGAs and other assessment methods to gather facts and figures on the activities of the government in the last 8 months and still counting.