BENIN CITY – Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has urged political office holders to lead with humility and responsibility, saying power is transient.
The governor gave the charge on when he received the newly elected Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Prince Yekini Oisayemoje Idaiye who represents Akoko-Edo Constituency I
According to the governor: _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.
He urged the new leadership to promote transparency, dialogue, and inclusiveness, and advised lawmakers to resolve disagreements within the Assembly rather than airing them 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.
Governor Okpebholo said the emergence of new leadership presented an opportunity for members to work together. He charged Speaker Idaiye to ensure all members are carried along.
“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.
“The only way you can have an effective leadership is for you to carry everybody along,” Okpebholo said.
The governor also urged the Speaker to live up to the positive comments made about him by colleagues.
“Everyone is saying good things about you. I want you to remain the way they have described you,” he said.
Identifying teamwork as the bedrock of effective legislative leadership, Okpebholo encouraged lawmakers to raise concerns through dialogue.
“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.
The governor expressed hope that the Assembly would remain peaceful, noting that the House had operated without 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.
With elections approaching, Okpebholo urged lawmakers to strengthen their presence in their constituencies.
“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 encouraged lawmakers who might not return after the elections to remain optimistic.
“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.
