Members of the 8th Edo State House of Assembly were on Friday inaugurated by the Clerk of the House, Mr. Audu Yahaya Omogbai, as members representing Owan West and Esan North East 2 Constituencies, Hon. Blessing Agbebaku and Hon. Marian Edekor, were elected Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House, respectively. The duo were elected unopposed.
The election of Agbebaku, a two-time member of the State House of Assembly, was sequel to a motion moved by Hon. Natasha Osawaru, member representing Egor Constituency, and seconded by member representing Esan North East 1 Constituency.
Following the absence of opposition, Agbebaku was elected as the Speaker.
Similarly, Hon. Edekor was elected Deputy Speaker unopposed following a motion moved by member representing Ovia South West Constituency, Hon. Destiny Enabulele, seconded by the member representing Etsako West 2 Constituency, Hon Gani Akokhia.
In his acceptances speech, the newly elected Speaker of the House said his election is a call for service, and asserted that his new office has placed more responsibilities on him.
He promised to operate an open door policy where members, irrespective of their political affiliations, would be carried along.
The Speaker also promised to champion qualitative legislation which, according to him, would bring the needed development to the state.
“Choosing me to lead the 8th Edo State House of Assembly is a great honour. This is a sense of responsibility which I sincerely accepted,” the Speaker said.
“I will not take this position for granted and I promise to carry every member along irrespective of the political affiliation because together, we can make Edo great again in line with the culture of the state.
“I commend the former Edo State House of Assembly for setting a template for legislative activities. This will help to put the 8th Assembly on the right track.
“I also want to appeal to staff of the State House of Assembly to give the 8th Assembly the needed support in order to enable us achieve our lofty goals of giving out people-oriented bills and resolutions that would engender socio-economic betterment of the populace.
“Let me assure the people of the state that we as a State House of Assembly would put them first in our functions and oversights.
“Let me assure you my colleagues that as a team, and with your support, we will introduce far-reaching programmes and innovations to put the 8th Assembly on a good and sound footing,” he said.
Sitting of the House was adjourned to Monday, June 19, 2023.
