Senator Joseph Ikpea has urged chairmanship candidates contesting the July 11 local government election in Edo State to see the newly granted local government autonomy as an opportunity to transform their communities through impactful leadership and accountable governance rather than personal enrichment.
Speaking at the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign flag-off for Edo Central Senatorial District, Ikpea reminded the candidates that while local government autonomy offers greater control over public resources, it also comes with the responsibility of transparent financial management, warning that anti-corruption agencies would not hesitate to act against any abuse of office.
Addressing the APC local government chairmanship candidates, the senator said: “Once you are elected and resume office, you should be prudent. That is really the major thing, be prudent. Once you are prudent and ensure that what comes is not made for you for your pocket, it is for you to develop your local government then you will be fine because by time you feel it is your money and you do the wrong thing. EFCC is there to invite them.
“You have autonomy now but you do not have immunity like the executive governor.
“Know that as a council chairman you can be invited by EFCC anytime even while in the office. So my advice for you is that you should be very prudent.”
The senator, who noted that Governor Monday Okpebholo was doing so much for the people of the state, charged the would-be local government chairmen to replicate what the state government is doing in the various local government areas.
On his activities in the Senate, Senator Ikpea said he would ensure that all the inputs of the governor before he was elected to represent Edo Central would be implemented in addition to the ones he was already initiating.
Ikpea added that as the Senate Committee Chairman on Drugs and Narcotics, he would continue to embark on campaigns against drug and substance abuse while creating empowerment opportunities and jobs for youths across the senatorial district to complement the efforts of the state government.
Expressing confidence in the APC’s chances at the polls, Ikpea said Governor Monday Okpebholo’s development projects had positioned the party for victory. He urged party members to take the administration’s achievements to the grassroots as they campaign for APC chairmanship and councillorship candidates across the five local government areas in Edo Central and the rest of the state.
