Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has urged the newly elected Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Yekini Idaiye, and other lawmakers to promote unity, transparency and teamwork in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Okpebholo made the call when Idaiye and other members of the Assembly visited him at the Government House in Benin City.
The meeting followed the resignation of the former Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, amid reported moves to impeach him. The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) had also separately announced new principal officers in the Assembly.
Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Patrick Ebojele, the governor urged the new leadership to put aside personal differences and concentrate on serving the people of Edo State.
Okpebholo reminded the lawmakers that political offices were temporary and should therefore be occupied with humility and a strong sense of responsibility.
He specifically urged Idaiye to ensure that all members of the Assembly were carried along in the affairs of the House, stressing that the Speaker’s position came with significant responsibility.
According to the governor, effective leadership required transparency, humility and respect for colleagues.
He also warned that excluding lawmakers from the affairs of the House could create fresh divisions.
The governor expressed hope that the Assembly would maintain peace and stability under Idaiye’s leadership, noting that the House had experienced relative stability for about two years.
“Everyone is saying good things about you. I want you to remain the way they have described you,” Okpebholo told the new Speaker.
Responding, Idaiye said the new legislative leadership visited the governor to formally introduce itself and assure him of the Assembly’s support for his administration.
The Speaker pledged that the Assembly would provide the necessary legislative backing to advance the development of Edo State.
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.
