The Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo, has urged the new Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Yekini Idiaye, to promote unity, transparency and teamwork in the discharge of his duties.
The governor made the call on Monday when he received Idiaye and 13 other lawmakers at the Government House in Benin. He advised the lawmakers to set aside personal differences and focus on serving the people of Edo State.
Idiaye, who represents Akoko-Edo Constituency 1, emerged as the new Speaker following the resignation of the former Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, amid allegations related to the inflated prices of Lexus 570 Jeeps and Hilux vehicles purchased for the Assembly.
Okpebholo reminded the lawmakers that political office is temporary and should therefore be handled with humility, responsibility and a strong commitment to effective service delivery.
“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 further 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.
“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 stated.
The governor emphasised the importance of mutual respect among lawmakers. He noted that the emergence of a new leadership presented an opportunity for members to work together and strengthen the Assembly.
Okpebholo specifically charged Idiaye to understand the weight of responsibility attached to the office of the Speaker and ensure that every member of the Assembly is carried along in legislative affairs.
“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.
He warned that failure to involve members in the affairs of the House could create fresh divisions, urging the leadership to build consensus through dialogue and inclusiveness.
The governor identified teamwork as essential to effective legislative leadership and encouraged lawmakers to raise concerns constructively while working together to maintain peace within the Assembly.
Okpebholo expressed his desire for the Assembly to remain peaceful, noting that the House had operated without a major crisis for about two years under the previous arrangement.
He also encouraged lawmakers who might not return after the next elections to remain optimistic, assuring them of continued cooperation from his administration.
Responding, Speaker Idiaye said the new legislative leadership visited the governor to formally introduce itself and assure him of the Assembly’s full support for his administration. He pledged that the House would provide the necessary support to advance the development of the state through effective legislation and constructive partnership with the executive.
