History was made in Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State on Friday, September 4, 2026, following the swearing-in of Hon. Vera Sadas the first elected female Chairman of the Council.
Sado also doubled as the first indigene of the Anegbette/South Uneme axis to lead the Council since it was created.
Governor Monday Okpebholo swore in Hon. Sado and 17 other LG Chairmen on at Festival Hall, Government House, in Benin.
At the swearing-in ceremony, dignitaries, APC leaders and supporters from Etsako Central were on ground to celebrate with Hon. Sado who was the sole female among the 18 chairmen.
Governor Okpebholo, while addressing the new chairmen, said their emergence marks “the beginning of a new chapter in grassroots governance and development.”
He described the LG polls as free, fair and credible, noting that the turnout showed growing trust in democracy and his administration.
“Local governments, being the closest tier of government to the people, have a greater responsibility to ensure development reaches communities across the state,” he said.
The Governor linked the task ahead to the renewed LG autonomy under President Bola Tinubu, saying it comes with greater responsibility.
“The overwhelming victory recorded by our party at the recent polls is a call for more work. 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,” Okpebholo charged.
The Governor also warned against corruption, calling public office “a sacred trust.”
“Your legacies will be defined by the lives you touch, the problems you solve, and how effectively you use the opportunities entrusted to you,” he added.
It would be recalled that Hon. Sado emerged Chairman of the Council on Saturday, July 12, 2026, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), during the statewide local government elections.
In her post-swearing-in remarks, she thanked her constituents and promised “better days ahead.”
Meanwhile, the memorable victory of Hon Sado at the poll, has been described by people of the South Uneme/Anegbette axis as a long-awaited breakthrough.
A former Councillor and ex-Leader of the Legislative Arm in the Council, Hon. Emmanuel Okolo, said: “It is a dream come true to produce an elected chairman from our axis for the first time.”
