Key Takeaways
- Governor Monday Okpebholo has urged new Speaker Yekini Idaiye to lead Edo State House of Assembly with unity, transparency, and teamwork.
- The leadership change follows the resignation of former Speaker Blessing Agbebaku amid reported impeachment moves.
- Okpebholo reminded lawmakers that humility is essential because political offices are temporary.
New Speaker Receives Governor’s Charge
BENIN CITY, Nigeria — Governor Monday Okpebholo has received the new Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Yekini Idaiye, along with other lawmakers, at the Government House in Benin City for a formal introduction of the new legislative leadership.
During the meeting, Okpebholo urged the new Speaker and all members of the Assembly to promote unity, transparency, and teamwork in carrying out their responsibilities. He called on them to embrace humility and put aside personal differences in order to focus on serving the people of Edo State.
The governor said political positions are temporary and should be occupied with a strong sense of responsibility. He warned that failure to carry all members along could open the door to fresh divisions within the House.
'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,' Okpebholo said.
A Leadership Change in a Challenging Political Climate
The meeting followed the resignation of the former Speaker, Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, amid reported moves to impeach him. In response to the shifting political landscape, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) announced new principal officers in separate letters.
Okpebholo, who is himself a former parliamentarian, described the change as an internal matter for the House. '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 also expressed confidence in the new Speaker, noting that colleagues have spoken well of him. 'Everyone is saying good things about you. I want you to remain the way they have described you,' Okpebholo said, urging Idaiye to live up to the positive assessment of his character.
A Call for Stability and Legislative Support
Okpebholo said he hoped the Assembly would remain peaceful and stable under the new leadership. He recalled that for the past two years, the House had avoided crises, and he prayed that the next two years would be equally peaceful.
'I want us to have a peaceful House,' the governor declared.
Responding, Speaker Idaiye said the new legislative leadership visited the governor to formally introduce itself and to assure him of the Assembly's support for his administration. He pledged that the House 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.
Why This Matters
This leadership transition is a pivotal moment for Edo State's political stability, as the governor's call for transparency and unity signals a determined effort to prevent the crisis from disrupting collaboration between the executive and legislative arms.