EDHA: Leadership changes, power changes hands but governance continues.

The resignation of the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Blessing Sheriff Agbebaku, is another reminder of a timeless truth in politics: power is transient, but the impact of leadership endures.

Edo’s political history shows that changes in the leadership of the House have often been accompanied by tension and turbulence. From the roof of the Assembly being removed, to thugs taking over the complex, mace being used as a weapon and elected lawmakers being denied the opportunity to properly assume their mandates.

Against that history, the recent transition is remarkable because it was peaceful, orderly and rancour-free.

When Senator Monday Okpebholo assumed office on November 12, 2024, the APC had only 8 members minority in the 24-member House, while the PDP had 15 members majority and the Labour Party had 1. As the Governor’s electoral victory was being challenged in court, the political landscape shifted, with the Speaker and other lawmakers joining the APC to give them 15-member majority. Further defections eventually gave the ruling party, APC, a commanding 22-member majority.

Whatever one’s political persuasion, the peaceful nature of this transition deserves recognition. It reflects the value of dialogue, political maturity and a constructive working relationship between the Executive and Legislature. This is a departure from the past, and credit must be given to Governor Monday Okpebholo.

May the new leadership of the Edo State House of Assembly succeed, uphold the dignity of the institution, and work collaboratively with Governor Okpebholo to deliver meaningful development and a better future for the people of Edo State.

In politics, power is transient. impact is the legacy.