By Joy Omagha Idam
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has charged the newly elected leadership of the Edo State House of Assembly to embrace unity, humility, transparency and teamwork, urging lawmakers to put aside personal differences and remain focused on serving the people.
The Governor gave the charge when he received the newly elected Speaker of the Assembly, Prince Yekini Oisayemoje Idaiye, who represents Akoko-Edo Constituency I, at the Government House.
Okpebholo reminded the lawmakers that political offices are temporary and should therefore be occupied with humility, responsibility and a strong commitment to public service.
“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.
He urged the new leadership to promote transparency, dialogue and inclusiveness, stressing that disagreements within the Assembly 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.
Carry Every Lawmaker Along, Governor Tells Speaker
Governor Okpebholo specifically charged Speaker Idaiye to understand the enormous responsibility attached to his new position and ensure that every member of the Assembly is carried along in the affairs of the House.
“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.
The Governor warned that excluding lawmakers from decision-making could create fresh divisions, emphasising that inclusiveness remained essential to effective legislative leadership.
“The only way you can have an effective leadership is for you to carry everybody along,” Okpebholo stated.
He also urged the new Speaker to maintain the positive reputation attributed to him by his colleagues.
“Everyone is saying good things about you. I want you to remain the way they have described you,” he added.
Teamwork Key to Legislative Success
The Governor described teamwork as the foundation of effective leadership and encouraged members of the Assembly to freely express their concerns through constructive 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 further called for peace and stability within the Assembly, 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.
Governor Urges Lawmakers to Prepare for Elections
With the next elections approaching, the Governor urged lawmakers to strengthen their engagement with 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 advised lawmakers who may not return to the Assembly after the elections not to lose hope, assuring them that opportunities would remain available for them to serve.
“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.
New Speaker Pledges Support for Okpebholo Administration
In his remarks, Speaker Idaiye said the new leadership of the Edo State House of Assembly visited the Governor to formally introduce itself and assure him of the legislature’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.
Idaiye pledged that the Assembly would provide the necessary legislative support to enable the administration to deliver on its programmes and move Edo State forward.
“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 Edo 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.
Weekenders Magazine | Monday, August 17, 2026