FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
Member representing Owan West constituency Of Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku has been elected as the speaker of the 8th Assembly.
Also elected was Barrister Marian Edekor representing Esan North-East Constituency 11 as the Deputy Speaker.
Both Agbebaku who had a stint as a state lawmaker between 2007 and 2011 and Mrs. Edeko, a former commissioner of Social Development and Gender Issues are members of the dominant PDP.
Agbebaku who emerged through consensus as the speaker of the eight assembly promised to promote cordial executive-legislative relationship.
The PDP won 15 seats in the rescheduled March 18 House of Assembly election, leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC) with 8 seats and Labour Party (LP) with 1, making a total of 24 members.
The Speaker asserted at the inaugural session of the assembly on Friday assured that he is committed towards fostering unity, and championed good governance that will touch every legislative and staff of the assembly and the people of the state.
In her acceptance speech, the deputy speaker, Marian Edekor ,however, said that, it has become important to recognised the diverse background of the people, and form a good environment where the lawmakers can collectively best serve the interest of their constituents.
While calling for cordial executive-legislative relationship, she said: “we will support the government with legislative duties and work to ensure that all laws passed by this honourable house are for the benefit of the people of the state.
” We will work closely with the executive arm to ensure that the needs and expectations of our constituents are met.”