Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has charged the 18 newly sworn-in local government chairmen to prioritise grassroots development, shun corruption and justify the confidence reposed in them by the people.
Key Highlights
- Governor Monday Okpebholo swears in 18 Edo LG chairmen.
- Chairmen charged to prioritise grassroots development and good governance.
- Okpebholo warns the new council bosses against corruption.
- Governor urges them to maximise the benefits of local government autonomy.
- Chairmen asked to strengthen grassroots political structures.
- Okpebholo seeks support for President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
- Edo targets 2.5 million votes for Tinubu, according to the governor.
- Newly sworn-in chairmen pledge transparent and people-oriented leadership.
Okpebholo gave the charge during the swearing-in ceremony of the 18 local government chairmen at the Festival Hall, Government House, Benin, on Friday.
He described their emergence as the beginning of a new chapter in grassroots governance and development across Edo State.
The governor said the recent local government elections were free, fair and credible, adding that the turnout demonstrated growing confidence in democracy and his administration.
According to him, local governments, as the tier of government closest to the people, have a greater responsibility to ensure that development reaches communities across the state.
He said the renewed commitment to local government autonomy under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had placed greater responsibilities on the newly elected chairmen.
“The overwhelming victory recorded by our party at the recent polls is a call for more work. I charge you to go and work for the people, complement the development efforts of the State Government and ensure that the impact of government is felt in every community,” he said.
Okpebholo Warns Edo LG Chairmen Against Corruption
The governor urged the Edo LG chairmen to shun corruption, describing public office as a sacred trust and an opportunity to serve the people.
He said their legacies would ultimately be measured by the lives they touched, the problems they solved and how effectively they used the resources and opportunities entrusted to them.
Okpebholo also urged the chairmen to strengthen political structures at the grassroots and mobilise support for President Tinubu and his Renewed Hope Agenda.
He charged them to work towards achieving the state’s collective target of 2.5 million votes for the President, stressing that the objective would require hard work, unity and sustained engagement with the people.
“The best way to earn their continued support is through good governance and visible development. The people have entrusted you with leadership. Go and justify that trust. Serve with humility, lead with integrity and work with passion,” Okpebholo added.
The governor expressed optimism that the tenure of the new chairmen would bring progress, peace and prosperity to communities across Edo State.
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New LG Chairmen Pledge Transparent Leadership
Speaking on behalf of the newly sworn-in chairmen, the Chairman of Oredo Local Government Area, Gabriel Iduseri, commended Okpebholo for the confidence reposed in them.
Iduseri said the chairmen were honoured by the opportunity to serve their people and recognised that their mandate came with significant responsibilities.
He pledged that the new council administrations would provide purposeful, transparent and people-oriented leadership at the grassroots.
“We pledge our commitment to provide purposeful, transparent and people-oriented leadership at the grassroots. We are ready to key into the SHINE Agenda of the governor and the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President, and to bring development to our various local governments,” he said.
The new Edo LG chairmen are expected to begin their respective tenures with a focus on grassroots development, improved service delivery and stronger engagement with residents across the state.
