Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has charged the newly sworn-in chairmen of the 18 local government areas in the state to prioritise grassroots development, shun corruption and justify the confidence reposed in them by the people.
Okpebholo gave the charge on Friday during the swearing-in ceremony of the council chairmen at the Festival Hall, Government House, Benin City.
The governor described their emergence as the beginning of a new chapter in grassroots governance and development in Edo State.
He said the recent local government election was free, fair and credible, adding that the turnout reflected what he described as the people’s growing confidence in democracy and his administration.
According to him, local governments, being the closest tier of government to the people, have a greater responsibility to ensure that development reaches communities across the state.
Okpebholo said the renewed commitment to local government autonomy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had also 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,” the governor said.
“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 urged the chairmen to shun corruption, describing public office as a sacred trust and an opportunity to serve the people.
The governor said their legacies would be determined by the lives they touched, the problems they solved and how effectively they used the opportunities entrusted to them.
Okpebholo also tasked the council chairmen with strengthening political structures at the grassroots and mobilising support for Tinubu and his Renewed Hope Agenda.
He charged them to work towards delivering Edo State’s target of 2.5 million votes for the President in the 2027 general election, saying the task required 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 said.
The governor expressed optimism that the tenure of the new council chairmen would usher in greater progress, peace and prosperity across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the newly sworn-in chairmen, the Chairman of Oredo Local Government Area, Mr Gabriel Iduseri, thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in them.
He said the chairmen were honoured by the opportunity to serve their people and understood the enormous responsibilities attached to their mandates.
“We pledge our commitment to provide purposeful, transparent and people-oriented leadership at the grassroots.
“We are ready to key into the governor’s SHINE Agenda and the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda and bring development to our various local governments,” Iduseri said.
