Nine Edo house of assembly
lawmakers said to be loyal to Godwin Obaseki, the governor, edged out their
colleagues on Monday night by taking oath of office “secretly”.
They were sworn in shortly after
15 others protested the delay in inaugurating the assembly, blaming it on an
attempt by the governor to impose his loyalists as presiding officers.
Led by Julius Osifo, a former
commissioner in the state, the lawmakers-elect gave Obaseki a seven-day
ultimatum to give proclamation for a new assembly.
A legislative source revealed that a “cold war” between Obaseki and Adams Oshiomhole, his
predecessor, split the assembly into two.
Oshiomhole, who is chairman of
the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was said to have been perfecting
strategies to oust Obaseki since he had majority of the lawmakers in his camp.
“Up until yesterday, Oshiomhole
had 19 lawmakers behind him while the governor had five,” the source said.
“But after the lawmakers loyal to
Oshiomhole gave the governor a seven-day ultimatum to inaugurate the assembly,
his camp reached out to five legislators who were on the side of the APC
chairman and with this, they were able to form quorum for inauguration.”
The source said after enlisting
the support of nine lawmakers, Obaseki transmitted a letter of inauguration to
Audu Omogbai, clerk of the house, who ushered the lawmakers into the chamber
immediately.
Proceedings were said to have
commenced under heavy security and Frank Okiye, Obaseki’s preferred candidate,
emerged speaker while Yekini Idiaye of Akoko Edo constituency I was elected
deputy speaker.
Okiye said other elected
lawmakers who were not at the “inauguration” would take their oath of office
after completing their documentation processes.
“I am not the best, but this
responsibility is divine,” Okiye who represents Esan north-east 1, said in his
inaugural address.
He then adjourned sitting till
July 17, 2019.
Apart from Okiye, other members
inaugurated are Okiye, Idaiye, Nosayaba Okunbor (Orhionmwon east), Roland Asoro
(Orhionmwon south), Marcus Onobun (Esan west), Uyi Ekhosuehi (Oredo east),
Ephiraim Aluebhosele (Igueben), Henry Okhuarobo (Ikpoba-Okha) and Eric Okaka
(Owan east).
John Mayaki, chief press
secretary to the governor, did not respond to calls and text messages as of the
time this report was filed.
Simon Egbebulem, spokesman of
Oshiomhole, could not also be reached for comments.
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