Senator Monday Okpebholo has said his administration will investigate the feud between Governor Godwin Obaseki and his predecessor, Adams Oshiomhole, which resulted in 14 lawmakers losing their seats in the seventh Edo State House of Assembly......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
The rift reportedly stemmed from a clash over political control and influence in the state.
In 2020, Obaseki had said the 14 lawmakers “refused to be inaugurated” because “they were listening to their godfather who kept hoping and promising that he would unconstitutionally get the state house of assembly to reissue a proclamation even after the court had settled the matter.”
In his inaugural speech after being sworn in as the 6th civilian governor of Edo State, Governor Okpebholo also unveiled his five-point agenda to transform the state.
The governor listed rebuilding the education system, improving infrastructure connectivity, and strengthening community development among his areas of focus.
Governor Okpebholo said the wellbeing of Edo citizens is his top priority, and that he is committed to implementing well-designed programmes to drive robust economic growth and enhance the lives of the people.
He vowed to deal with challenges of kidnapping and violent crimes to enhance the state’s security and revive farming and business activities in the state.
“Our citizens are top priority for us. To achieve this, we shall implement programmes carefully outlined in my five-point agenda, designed to grow robust economic growth and improve the lives of our people.
“We will not betray this confidence you have reposed in me and the Deputy Governor, Rt. Honourable Dennis Idahosa,” Governor Okpebholo said.
“For a long time now, our people have become victims of kidnapping and other violent crimes.
“To end this ugly situation, we will be firm in dealing with criminals and improve the security of our land so that farming and other business activities will flourish again.
“The deplorable condition of our roads has made it difficult for people to move from one part of the state to another
“Our policy to develop road infrastructure is targeted at constructing roads, drainages, and bridges to ease transportation for all.
“We shall immediately commence work to make the roads passable again.
“We are also ready to partner with the Federal Government, the private sector, non-governmental organisations, those in the diaspora, and other stakeholders, to develop our state across all sectors,” he said.
According to him, the new administration will support small businesses and market women with soft loans.
“Our teeming youthful population will not be left out. We shall support them to acquire relevant skills for self-empowerment.
“My administration shall immediately swing into action to recruit teachers and rebuild the deplorable classrooms.
“Tertiary education will be strengthened in many ways, too, to ensure quality education,” Okpebholo said.
The new governor announced a panel to investigate the cause of the failure to inaugurate 14 House of Assembly members-elect in the state in 2019 for seventh assembly.
“Fellow citizens, my administration is ready to link communities that have not yet been connected to the national grid to ensure that they have electricity.
“Our traditional institution shall be given the necessary support to play their role as custodians of our rich cultural heritage.
“It is in recognition of this that my administration shall support the decision of the Federal Government to uphold the Oba of Benin as the exclusive owner of the returned artefacts that were looted by British Colonial Forces during the Benin Massacre of 1897,” he said.