Embrace unity, transparency, Okpebholo urges new Edo assembly leaders

The Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has charged the new leadership of the state House of Assembly to embrace humility, unity, transparency and teamwork, urging lawmakers to put aside personal differences and focus on serving the people.

The governor gave the charge on Monday when he received the newly elected Speaker, Yekini Idiaye, who represents Akoko-Edo Constituency I, at the Government House, Benin City.

Okpebholo said political office was temporary and should be handled with humility and a strong sense of responsibility.

He urged the new leadership to promote transparency, dialogue and inclusiveness, while advising lawmakers to resolve disagreements within the Assembly rather than taking them to social media.

“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.

“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.

Okpebholo said disagreements among lawmakers should be handled internally, adding that the emergence of a new leadership presented an opportunity for members to work together.

He urged the new Speaker to understand the responsibility that came with his office and ensure that all members of the Assembly were carried along.

He warned that failure to involve members in the affairs of the House could create fresh divisions.

“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.

“The only way you can have effective leadership is for you to carry everybody along. I will urge the new speaker to live up to the positive comments made about him by his colleagues,” he said.

The governor added, “Everyone is saying good things about you. I want you to remain the way they have described you.”

Okpebholo identified teamwork as essential to effective legislative leadership and encouraged lawmakers to raise 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.

The governor said he wanted the Assembly to remain peaceful, noting that the House had operated without a major crisis for about two years.

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“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 crisis in the House,” he said.

With elections approaching, Okpebholo urged the lawmakers to strengthen their presence in their constituencies and work towards electoral success.

“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 to remain optimistic, assuring them of continued cooperation.

“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.

The new Speaker, Idiaye, said the legislative leadership visited the governor to formally introduce itself and assure him of the Assembly’s support for 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,” the Speaker said.

Idiaye assured the governor that the Assembly would provide the support needed to advance 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; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Yakubu Musa; Edo State APC Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe; and members of the party’s State Working Committee.

Recall that the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, resigned on Monday amid moves by lawmakers to impeach him.

Agbebaku’s resignation was confirmed by his media aide, Ivy Ebojele, who said details of the resignation would be made public later.

She said, “I can confirm the Speaker’s resignation but details will be made public later.”

PUNCH Online gathered that 17 of the 24 lawmakers had signed a notice of impeachment on Sunday night, which may have prompted Agbebaku’s resignation.