Okpebholo Tasks New Edo Assembly Leadership With Unity, Transparency, Teamwork
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has charged the new leadership of the Edo State House of Assembly to embrace humility, unity, transparency and teamwork in the discharge of their legislative responsibilities.
Okpebholo gave the charge when he received the newly elected Speaker of the Assembly, Prince Yekini Oisayemoje Idaiye, who represents Akoko-Edo Constituency I, and other members of the new leadership at the Government House, Benin City.
The governor, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Dr Patrick Ebojele, urged the lawmakers to put aside personal differences and concentrate on delivering effective representation and good governance to the people of the state.
He reminded the lawmakers that political offices were temporary, urging them to exercise their responsibilities with humility and a strong sense of duty.
“We must put arrogance aside to serve our people better because today we are here and tomorrow we don’t know where we will be,” the governor said.
Okpebholo also urged the new Assembly leadership to promote transparency, dialogue and inclusiveness, stressing that disagreements within the legislature should be resolved internally rather than being taken to social media.
“It’s a new leadership. I don’t know what happened. Whatever must have happened in the House is for the House, and it remains there. I was also a parliamentarian, and I know that we respect one another,” he said.
The governor said the emergence of a new leadership provided an opportunity for members of the Assembly to work together and strengthen the stability of the legislature.
Addressing the new Speaker, Okpebholo stressed the need for him to recognise the responsibility attached to his office and ensure that every member of the House was carried along in decision-making.
“It is not just to be a leader, but a responsible leader. You are not just assuming a new office, to be just an ordinary speaker. You should know that you are now carrying the shoulders of many people and you have to be transparent with your colleagues. You have to carry everybody along,” he said.
He warned that excluding lawmakers from the affairs of the Assembly could create fresh divisions, adding that inclusiveness remained critical to effective legislative leadership.
“The only way you can have an effective leadership is for you to carry everybody along,” the governor said.
Okpebholo further urged Idaiye to sustain the positive reputation attributed to him by his colleagues, saying: “Everyone is saying good things about you. I want you to remain the way they have described you.”
The governor identified teamwork and open communication as key ingredients for successful leadership, urging lawmakers to freely express their concerns through dialogue.
“Teamwork is the bedrock of effective leadership. And for you to make progress, you need to believe in yourselves. When you have anything in mind, always voice it out either in private with the Speaker or in the open. Dialogue is always the key,” he said.
Okpebholo expressed the hope that the Assembly would continue to enjoy peace and stability, noting that the House had operated without a major crisis for about two years.
“I want us to have a peaceful House. For about two years, there have never been crises in the House. And I pray that in another two years, there will be no crises in the House,” he said.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, the governor also urged the lawmakers to strengthen their grassroots presence and consolidate their support in their respective constituencies.
“I pray that you people will take charge of your constituencies. Elections are coming. We have to work hard to see that we record success,” he said.
He also encouraged lawmakers who might not return to the Assembly after the elections not to be discouraged, assuring them that there would be opportunities to work together beyond their present offices.
“Those of you that are not coming back, don’t worry. We will work together. Sometimes, every disappointment is another appointment that can lead you to somewhere higher or greater,” Okpebholo said.
‘We’ll support your administration’
Earlier, the new Speaker, Idaiye, said the Assembly leadership visited the governor to formally introduce itself and reaffirm the legislature’s readiness to support his administration.
“Your Excellency, we are here this afternoon to formally introduce the new leadership of the Edo State House of Assembly to you and to inform you that with this new leadership, we are ready to stabilise the House,” Idaiye said.
The Speaker assured the governor that the Assembly would provide the legislative backing required to advance the development of the state.
“And to ensure that we give you the maximum support because we are all proud of you. You are doing well. The only way you can continue to do well is to have the support of the House. We are there for you. Whatever you want us to do to move Edo forward, we are ready for it,” he said.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Yakubu Musa; Edo State APC Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe; and members of the party’s State Working Committee.
EDITOR
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, as well as M.Sc Mass Communication at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is the immediate past NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
