Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor | Journalist at Weng Global
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has urged the newly constituted leadership of the Edo State House of Assembly to embrace unity, transparency, humility and teamwork in the discharge of their legislative responsibilities.
Okpebholo gave the charge on Monday when he received the newly elected Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Yekini Idiaye, at the Government House in Benin City. The governor said the new leadership should place the interests of Edo residents above personal differences and political considerations.
The governor’s remarks came against the backdrop of a leadership change in the Assembly following the resignation of the former Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, amid moves by lawmakers to impeach him.
According to reports, 17 of the 24 members of the Assembly had signed a notice of impeachment before Agbebaku’s resignation was announced. His media aide, Ivy Ebojele, confirmed the resignation but said further details would be made public later.
Okpebholo calls for responsible leadership
Receiving Idiaye and the new leadership team, Okpebholo emphasised that political offices are temporary and should therefore be occupied with humility and a strong sense of responsibility.
He urged the new Speaker to avoid arrogance and recognise that leadership comes with the responsibility of representing the interests of many people.
The governor particularly stressed the importance of inclusiveness, warning that excluding lawmakers from the affairs of the Assembly could create fresh divisions.
According to him, effective leadership requires carrying members along and creating an environment where lawmakers can express their concerns without fear.
Okpebholo also encouraged Idiaye to live up to the positive expectations expressed by his colleagues following his emergence as Speaker.
He said the new Speaker should understand that the office was not merely a position of authority but a responsibility requiring fairness, consultation and accountability.
Dialogue should replace confrontation
The governor also advised members of the Assembly to resolve disagreements through dialogue rather than taking internal disputes to social media.
He said political disagreements are normal in legislative environments but should be handled maturely and internally.
Okpebholo noted that the Assembly had operated without a major crisis for about two years and expressed his desire for the peaceful atmosphere to continue.
He urged lawmakers to communicate their concerns openly, either privately with the Speaker or during legislative proceedings.
For the governor, dialogue remains an important tool for preventing misunderstandings from escalating into political crises.
The call is particularly significant given the recent change in leadership and the political tensions surrounding the former Speaker’s departure.
Teamwork essential to progress
Okpebholo identified teamwork as a major foundation for effective leadership, urging the new Assembly leadership and lawmakers to work together for the development of Edo State.
He encouraged members to believe in one another and focus on their collective responsibility to constituents.
The governor’s position reflects the importance of cooperation between the executive and legislative arms of government, particularly on policies, budgets and development programmes affecting residents.
While urging the Assembly to support his administration, Okpebholo also reminded lawmakers that their primary responsibility remained service to the people.
He said lawmakers must strengthen their relationship with their constituencies as the next elections approach.
The governor urged members to work hard in their respective constituencies and seek to deliver political success.
He also offered words of encouragement to lawmakers who may not return to the Assembly after the elections, saying political setbacks could open the door to other opportunities.
New Speaker pledges support
Responding, Idiaye said the new Assembly leadership had visited the governor to formally introduce itself and assure him of its readiness to stabilise the House.
The Speaker pledged that the Assembly would provide the necessary support for the administration to advance its programmes and move Edo State forward.
Idiaye said the lawmakers were proud of the governor’s performance and recognised the importance of cooperation between the executive and legislative arms of government.
He assured Okpebholo that the Assembly was ready to work with his administration in the interest of the state.
The meeting was attended by senior government and party officials, including Secretary to the State Government Umar Musa Ikhilor, Chief of Staff Yakubu Musa and Edo State APC Chairman Jarrett Tenebe, alongside members of the party’s State Working Committee.
Leadership change at the Assembly
The emergence of Idiaye followed Agbebaku’s resignation as Speaker.
The development represents a significant change in the leadership of the Edo Assembly, particularly as the state moves towards another electoral cycle.
The governor’s emphasis on unity and transparency therefore comes at a crucial period for the legislature.
For the Assembly, maintaining stability will require lawmakers to manage political differences while ensuring that legislative duties continue without disruption.
The new leadership will also have to balance political expectations with its constitutional responsibility to make laws, provide oversight and represent constituents.
Focus on Edo residents
Okpebholo’s message ultimately centred on service.
By asking lawmakers to embrace humility, transparency and teamwork, the governor is seeking a legislative environment where political disagreements do not overshadow governance.
A stable Assembly could provide greater room for cooperation on legislation, budget implementation and policies designed to address infrastructure, security, healthcare, education and economic development.
The governor had previously outlined key development priorities for Edo, including security, infrastructure, healthcare, food sufficiency and education. His administration has also emphasised cooperation with other arms of government and stakeholders in pursuing development programmes.
As the new Assembly leadership settles into office, attention will now turn to how effectively it can maintain unity among lawmakers while providing the legislative support and oversight expected by Edo residents.
The success of the new leadership will ultimately depend not only on political alliances but also on its ability to promote accountability, consultation and effective representation.
For Okpebholo, the message is clear: the Assembly must remain peaceful, inclusive and focused on the people.
With elections approaching, both the executive and legislative arms will face increased political pressure. Maintaining institutional stability and keeping governance at the centre of political activity could therefore be crucial to Edo’s development in the months ahead.
Sources
- PUNCH Newspapers — “Embrace unity, transparency, Okpebholo urges new Edo assembly leaders.”
- PUNCH Newspapers — “Okpebholo takes over in Edo, Oshiomhole’s son makes cabinet.”
- The Nation — “APC Primaries: Edo Assembly Deputy Speaker, five others lose seat.”
- Vanguard — “APC primary: EDHA speaker wins return bid, deputy loses.”
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Edo Governor Monday Okpebholo urges new Assembly Speaker Yekini Idiaye and lawmakers to embrace unity, transparency, dialogue and teamwork.
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Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, Yekini Idiaye, Edo Assembly, Edo Politics, Edo House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, Nigeria Politics, Governance, Transparency, Unity, Legislative Leadership, Weng Global,
