8th EDHA inaugurated as Obaseki hails process

* Seeks mutual cooperation

* Agbebaku emerges Speaker

By Kingsley Abavo, Benin

On Friday, 16 June, 2023, the Edo State House of Assembly was inaugurated after the Governor, Godwin Enogheghase Obaseki issued the constitutional proclamation letter on Wednesday, 14 June, 2023.

Amidst the air of peace and friendiliness, the Assembly complex at King Square, the City Centre was filled with party faithful, supporters, friends and family members of the inductees as the 24 members were present; a departure from what was experienced with the beginning of the immediate past 7th Assembly.

The ruling Peoples Democrtic Party (PDP) had 15 members; the opposition; All Progressives Congress (APC) – eight members, and debutant Labour Party; one member.

There was a bit of delay to the day’s proceeding reportedly due to initial disagreement between the Governor and his deputy, Phillip Shaibu as to whose candidate should be the Speaker; but was later resolved amicably behind close doors, our reliable source said.

At the end of the day, Blessing Agbebaku of the PDP unconfirmed sources said to be the Governor’s right hand man and anointed, emerged the Speaker of the State’s 8th Assembly. He represents the Owan-West Constituency in the House.

While Hon. Maria Edekor (PDP-Esan North-East II) was elected as the Deputy Speaker of the House.

Both Agbebaku, who had a stint as a state lawmaker between 2007 and 2011, and Hon. Edeko, a former commissioner of Social Development and Gender Issues in the Obaseki’s administration, were elected unopposed.

Agbebaku in his inaugural address, thanked his colleagues for the confidence reposed on him; promising to provide the leadership that would galvanize members irrespective of Party line to work for the good of Edo pẹople.

The new Speaker holds a Bsc. in Economics and Statistics from the University of Benin, while his deputy is a lawyer.

Meanwhile, the Governor has solicited the mutual cooperation of the 8th Assembly to sustain the gains recorded by the administration across all sectors of the State in the past six years.

Receiving the legislators at the Government House, he congratulated Agbebaku and Edeko on their emergence as Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House respectively.

“As we progress in our democracy, it becomes more obvious that the call for economic growth and development is hinged on the rule of law and a well-functioning legislative arm of government.

“Businesses are functioning well today; there is law, order, safety, stability, and security because we have a very functioning and effective legislature in the State.

“We have people putting our laws to regulate how we behave and transact businesses in the State.

“I am glad that you are coming now to help me in the journey we started six and half years ago, the journey of reforms.

“I thank members of the seventh Assembly as it was a historic and watershed Assembly in the political annals of Nigeria.

“Legislatively, the world would see the work put in by these members of the seventh Assembly in transforming our laws and helping the Executive with the appropriate and timely legislation to do their work, and it’s historic. What the seventh Assembly did, the eighth Assembly must do much better.”

Continuing; he said: “We are particular about the work environment as you have inherited a brand new House of Assembly and it will make you efficient.

“We would like to work with you, your infrastructure, work environment and tools, and also let you know the sort of reforms taken as executives to improve service delivery.”

Responding on behalf of members; Hon. Agbebaku thanked the Governor for the administration’s developmental strides across all sectors of the State, assuring of the support and collaboration of the new legislators.

“This 8th Assembly is ready to work with you to form a very concrete and solid synergy with the executive arm of Government to ensure that you finish well all you started in the State. We are here to move Edo State forward and make you finish well.”