Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State on Thursday said he sacked his cabinet because some members were no longer performing to expectation.

Fayemi, who spoke in Ado-Ekiti at the swearing-in of eight newly appointed Permanent Secretaries, said his government was faced with enormous responsibilities that required people who would ensure service delivery.

The governor, who likened his government to a football game, said: "We had good strikers who don't score goals but who have the stamina to play full time.

" I realised we needed those who will not just be good strikers but those who can score the goals as well as connect our government with the people."

"I decided to act on time like a good coach during half time so as to inject new players who will score the goals for me before the match is over."

Fayemi also said all appointments into senior positions of government, including those of permanent secretaries, would be merit-based.

He disclosed that all the newly appointed permanent secretaries underwent rigorous stages of tests which included written examination as well as oral interviews.

" At no time in the life span of this administration will I succumb to sentiment or submit to petty considerations in putting people in positions of trust," he added.