Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has inaugurated the newly elected chairmen of the state’s 18 local government areas, charging them to make grassroots development the priority of their administrations.

The chairmen were sworn in on Friday at the Festival Hall, Government House, Benin City, following their victory in the recently conducted local government elections.

Okpebholo urged the new council bosses to see their electoral victories as a call to greater service rather than an opportunity for personal gain.

“The overwhelming victory recorded by our party at the recent polls is a call for more work. You must prioritise grassroots development, shun corruption and justify the confidence reposed in them by the people.

“I charge you to go and work for the people, complement the development efforts of the state government and ensure that the impact of government is felt in every community,” he said.

The governor emphasised the importance of local government administration, noting that councils remain the closest tier of government to the people.

He said the renewed focus on local government autonomy had made it even more important for elected chairmen to demonstrate accountability, transparency and effective leadership.

Okpebholo also urged the council leaders to use the resources available to them to improve their communities rather than allow corruption to undermine development at the grassroots.

He challenged the new chairmen to complement the state government’s development efforts by ensuring that government programmes and projects reach residents across their respective local government areas.

“The best way to earn their continued support is through good governance and visible development.

“The people have entrusted you with leadership. Go and justify that trust. Serve with humility, lead with integrity and work with passion,” Okpebholo added.

The governor also urged the council chairmen to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing the importance of strengthening the party at the grassroots.

Speaking on behalf of the newly inaugurated chairmen, the Oredo Local Government Chairman, Gabriel Iduseri, thanked the governor for the opportunity to serve.

Iduseri assured that the new council leadership would work towards fulfilling the mandate given to them by the people.

With the 18 chairmen now officially in office, attention will shift to how they translate their electoral mandates and the renewed local government autonomy into visible development across Edo State.