Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has sworn in the newly elected chairmen of the state’s 18 local government areas, charging them to prioritise grassroots development, accountability and the welfare of residents.
The inauguration took place at the Festival Hall of the Edo State Government House in Benin City on Friday, marking the beginning of the chairmen’s tenure following the recent local government elections.
Addressing the new council bosses, Okpebholo described public office as a “sacred trust” and urged them to justify the confidence placed in them by voters.
“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,” the governor said.
He further directed the chairmen to reject corruption, lead with integrity and ensure that their administrations produce tangible improvements in their respective communities. According to him, their performance would ultimately be judged by the problems they solve and the lives they improve.
The governor also urged the council leaders to support his administration’s development agenda while maintaining effective cooperation with the state government.
The development is significant because local governments are the tier of government closest to many Nigerians, with councils playing important roles in community infrastructure, primary services and grassroots development. Effective performance by the newly inaugurated chairmen could therefore have a direct impact on residents across Edo State.
Responding on behalf of the 18 chairmen, Oredo Local Government Chairman Gabriel Iduseri pledged that the new council administrations would provide “purposeful, transparent and people-oriented leadership.” He also expressed their readiness to align with the governor’s SHINE Agenda and the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope agenda.
The inauguration follows Edo’s recent local government elections, in which the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission conducted polls across the state’s 18 councils.
The new chairmen now face the task of translating their campaign promises into practical programmes while responding to the needs of communities across Edo.
