Okpebholo Sets New Tone for Edo Assembly, Demands Inclusive and Responsible Leadership

Kingsley Ohens reporting 

BENIN CITY — Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has urged the new leadership of the Edo State House of Assembly to usher in a new era of unity, accountability, transparency and teamwork, charging lawmakers to put political and personal differences aside and concentrate on the development and welfare of Edo residents.

The Governor made the call on Monday when he received the newly elected Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Prince Yekini Oisayemoje Idaiye, representing Akoko-Edo Constituency I, alongside members of the new legislative leadership.

Okpebholo said leadership positions were temporary and should therefore be exercised with humility, maturity and a strong sense of responsibility.

“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, inclusiveness and constructive dialogue within the Assembly, stressing that disagreements among lawmakers should be resolved internally rather than being projected on 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.

The Governor particularly charged Speaker Idaiye to recognise that his new position comes with significant responsibility, insisting that effective leadership must accommodate the views and interests of all members.

“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,” Okpebholo said.

He warned that failure to operate an inclusive leadership structure could create unnecessary divisions within the legislature, reiterating that broad participation was essential to maintaining stability.

“The only way you can have an effective leadership is for you to carry everybody along,” he added.

Okpebholo also encouraged the new Speaker to justify the confidence reposed in him by his colleagues, urging him to maintain the qualities for which he was positively described during the process that produced the new leadership.

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

He further described teamwork as a critical foundation for effective legislative administration, urging lawmakers to communicate openly and resolve disagreements 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 stated.

The Governor expressed his desire to see a peaceful and stable House of Assembly, recalling that the legislature had operated without a major crisis for almost 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.

As preparations for the forthcoming elections intensify, Okpebholo urged lawmakers to strengthen their relationship with their constituents and work diligently 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,” the Governor said.

He also encouraged lawmakers who may not return to the Assembly after the elections not to lose hope, assuring them that political transitions could open the door to new opportunities.

“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.

Earlier, Speaker Idaiye explained that the new leadership visited the Governor to formally introduce itself and reassure him of the Assembly’s readiness to work with 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,” Idaiye said.

The Speaker pledged the Assembly’s full cooperation with the executive, noting that sustained collaboration between both arms of government would be critical to advancing the interests of Edo 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; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Yakubu Musa; Edo State APC Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe; and members of the party’s State Working Committee.

The engagement marks an important moment in the relationship between the executive and legislative arms of the Edo State Government, with the Governor’s message centred on institutional stability, inclusive leadership and collective responsibility as the administration continues to pursue its development agenda.

The development was contained in Press Release No. 497/EDSGH/2026, signed by Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, on Monday, August 17, 2026.