1 week Ago By Guardian Nigeria
• Tinubu urges reconciliation to address post-election differences The Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Iyobosa Okungbowa, yesterday, swore in Monday Okpebholo and Dennis Idahosa as the sixth executive governor and deputy governor of Edo State, in that order. Okpebholo succeeded Governor Godwin Obaseki, who was sworn in as the fifth governor of the state. The new governor won the election with 291,667 votes to defeat his closest rival, Asue Ighodalo, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled.
247,244 votes in the September 21 Edo governorship election. The epoch-making event was witnessed by family, friends, and political associates, as well as members and leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and party supporters from home and abroad. President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, celebrated what he termed, “democracy in its truest form,” stressing the significance of the popular will in shaping Nigeria’s political landscape.
He struck an optimistic tone about the nation’s economic trajectory, saying Nigeria has already overcome its most challenging period. “We have weathered the hardest days as a nation. We have pulled back from the brink of economic collapse, and now we step forward into a time of growth,” he stated.
Tinubu called for immediate reconciliation to address potential post-election differences in the state, saying: “While some may seek to disrupt peace after the will of the people has been expressed, every elected leader has a duty that extends to all, including those who may have voted differently or those who ran against them.” In his speech, Okpebholo thanked the President and Vice, Shettima, the National Chairman of the APC, Dr Abdullahi Gaduje, and former governors of Edo State. Okpebholo said: “This is a humbling moment made possible by you all.
” He pledged to embrace policies that would develop road infrastructure, saying: “We shall immediately commence work to make the roads passable again.” Okpebholo also expressed readiness to partner with the Federal Government, the private sector, non-governmental organisations, those in the diaspora, and other stakeholders to develop Edo State across all sectors.” Obaseki, apparently absent at the inauguration, held a valedictory session at the Government House, Benin City, last Friday when he dissolved his cabinet.
At the valedictory session, the former governor commended members of the State Executive Council for helping him in his vision of making Edo great again, and delivering on all promises made to the people. MEANWHILE, in the spirit of hitting the ground running, the newly sworn in Edo governor, yesterday, appointed Musa Ikhilor as Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Samson Osagie as the State Attorney-General, while Dr Cyril Oshiomhole is the Health Commissioner designates. This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Itua Fred.
The statement reads: “Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has announced Musa Ikhilor as Secretary to State Government (SSG); Samson Osagie as Attorney General and Commissioner For Justice and Dr Cyril Oshiomhole as Commissioner for Health. “The nomination of Osagie and Oshiomhole will be confirmed by the Edo State House of Assembly when they are forwarded soon by Okpebholo.” However, the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council, has congratulated Okpebholo and Idahosa on their swearing-in to office.
In a statement issued by Nefishetu Yakubu and Patrick Ahanor, Chairman and Secretary, respectively, of the Chapel, the journalists extended their best wishes to the governor and his deputy as they took up the responsibilities and challenges of the high offices..
