By DADA AYOKHAI
Hon. Romeo Aloaye Omoike has been sworn in as the Chairman of Etsako West Local Government Area, becoming the 7th elected chairman of the LGA since 1999.
The swearing-in was performed by Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, during a ceremony held at Government House, Benin City.
The event also witnessed the inauguration of chairmen for the other 17 Local Government Areas in the state. Governor Okpebholo administered the oath of office to all 18 chairmen amid cheers from party supporters.
Hon. Omoike attended the ceremony in his usual white attire, accompanied by his wife.
The presence of APC leaders and supporters from Etsako West added colour to the occasion as they celebrated the emergence of their new council boss.
Speaking to journalists after the ceremony, Hon. Omoike expressed appreciation to Governor Okpebholo and other party leaders in Etsako West and across the state.
He pledged to justify the confidence reposed in him by meeting the expectations of the people.
”I am grateful to God, His Excellency Senator Monday Okpebholo, and our leaders for this mandate. My administration will focus on grassroots development and ensure that the dividends of democracy reach every community in Etsako West,” he said.
Leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Etsako West LGA were on ground to show solidarity with the new chairman. They described his swearing-in as a step towards consolidating development in the council area.
In his address, Governor Okpebholo charged the newly sworn-in chairmen to prioritize grassroots development, shun corruption, and serve the people with dedication.
He described their emergence as the beginning of a new chapter in grassroots governance and development in Edo State. The governor noted that the recent Local Government elections were free, fair and credible.
According to him, local governments remain the closest tier of government to the people and therefore have a greater responsibility to deliver development. He added that the push for Local Government autonomy under President Bola Tinubu has placed more responsibility on the chairmen.
“The overwhelming victory recorded by our party is a call for more work. 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,” Okpebholo said.
The governor further urged the chairmen to see public office as a sacred trust, stressing that their legacies would be judged by the lives they touch and the problems they solve.
