Ikpea Opens Legislative Scorecard, Seeks Stronger Unity and Grassroots Partnership in Edo Central

Ikpea Media Team Network 

The Senator representing Edo Central Senatorial districts at the national Assembly, Senator Joseph Ikpea, yesterday  convened a town hall meeting, bringing together critical stakeholders, political leaders and traditional rulers  as he presented his  record of stewardship.

During the engagement, stakeholders from across  the district  called for stronger unity, sustained grassroots engagement and greater understanding of the constitutional roles of elected representatives.

 

The meeting, held under the theme, “Deepening Legislative Accountability, Development Dialogue, and Inclusive Participation,”  provided an opportunity for constituents to engage directly with Senator Ikpea on his legislative activities, constituency projects, budget implementation, the responsibilities and limitations of lawmakers, the political future of Edo Central and the dangers of drug abuse.

Delivering the opening address and the goodwill message of Governor Monday Okpebholo, the Edo Central Senatorial Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Cecil Esekhaigbe (Rtd.), commended Senator Ikpea for organising the town hall, describing it as an important platform for accountability and direct communication between the people and their representative.

Esekhaigbe urged the people of Edo Central to unite behind the Okpebholo administration, describing the emergence of an Esan-born governor as a significant political milestone for the district while calling  on beneficiaries of government appointments and opportunities to extend similar support to others in their communities.

In his remarks, Senator Ikpea said the town hall was deliberately designed to accommodate the wider constituency rather than members of his political party alone.

He said the participation of elders, youth and women leaders, professionals, artisans, market women, community leaders, media practitioners and other stakeholders was necessary because effective representation must be anchored on broad-based consultation.

Ikpea reaffirmed his commitment to political unity and development, stressing that he and his supporters had no interest in promoting divisions within the district.

The senator also commended Governor Okpebholo for supporting the town hall and acknowledged the administration’s efforts in addressing infrastructure and security challenges. He further urged Nigerians to support initiatives of the Federal Government aimed at stabilising and rebuilding the country.

Presenting his legislative scorecard, Ikpea explained that the timing of his assumption of office had affected the extent to which he could influence projects under the main budget cycle.

He disclosed, however, that he had pursued interventions through the supplementary budget, including attention to a primary school project in Uromi, which he said was part of his campaign commitments.

The senator also addressed misconceptions surrounding constituency projects, explaining that funds appropriated for such projects do not ordinarily come into the personal custody of lawmakers but are channelled through the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies for implementation.

He urged constituents to understand the constitutional and financial limitations of legislators before evaluating their performance  solely on the basis of physical infrastructure.

Ikpea acknowledged the importance of roads and other infrastructure but noted that major projects require substantial funding beyond the personal resources of individual legislators.

He promised to work with elders, local government and ward leaders to undertake a comprehensive needs assessment across communities in Edo Central. The exercise, he said, would enable the district to identify and prioritise pressing needs and channel them through appropriate government agencies and budgetary processes.

Former two-term member of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Patrick Ikhariale, PhD, further explained the constitutional duties of lawmakers, stressing that the executive implements government policies while the legislature is primarily responsible for lawmaking, representation, appropriation and oversight.

Ikhariale explained that the national budget becomes an Appropriation Act only after legislative consideration, passage and completion of the required constitutional procedures.

He said lawmakers could identify community needs, advocate for their inclusion in the budget and monitor implementation without becoming project contractors or executors.

Similarly, former two-term House of Representatives member, Rt. Hon. Barr. Friday Obomezele Ituah, said legislators do not ordinarily award contracts, select contractors or make payments for constituency projects.

Rather, he explained, lawmakers identify needs, lobby for their inclusion in the budget and exercise oversight to ensure that projects are properly implemented and public funds deliver value.

Speaking on the political future of Edo Central, leadership strategist Dr. Pascal Enobhimen urged the people to prioritise values, vision, integrity, service and collective responsibility in their political and developmental pursuits.

The forum also featured a sensitisation lecture on drug abuse by the Edo State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Dr. Mitchell Ofoyeju.

Ofoyeju warned against substance abuse, highlighting its potential consequences for individuals and communities, including mental health challenges, violence, criminality and other social problems. He urged young people to reject illicit drugs and commended Senator Ikpea for using the town hall to promote public enlightenment.

The meeting ended with renewed calls for unity, informed civic participation and sustained engagement between elected representatives and constituents.

For stakeholders, the town hall provided an important platform for clarifying the respective responsibilities of the legislature and executive, while giving Senator Ikpea an opportunity to outline his legislative activities and plans for a structured assessment of community needs across Edo Central.