The impeachment of Edo Assembly Speaker created mayhem in the state

In the spirit of the political divide, Obaseki, who is now the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the upcoming September 19 contest, assured Okiye of his backing even as the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag bearer, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, congratulated Edoror.

The first sign of trouble emerged in the early hours of yesterday when a detachment of policemen swooped on the Assembly complex ostensibly to forestall a run on the chamber by unauthorised persons.

But this would appear a decoy as 14 members, who had been refused entry since the convocation of the Assembly in June last year, gathered in a secret place in Benin where they were reportedly sworn to oaths of allegiance and office by the Deputy Clerk, Mr. Tom Efezokhae.

They, thereafter, removed Okiye and installed Edoror.

The crisis rocking the Edo State House of Assembly over its inauguration festered yesterday as 17 members removed the Speaker, Hon. Francis Okiye.

The removal, though in controversial circumstances, reflected the political divide between Governor Godwin Obaseki and his erstwhile godfather and predecessor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, whose loyalists spearheaded yesterday’s push aside of Okiye.

Okiye was replaced by Hon. Victor Edoror, representing Esan Central, as the new speaker.

Also elected was Hon. Emma Agbaje (APC, Akoko-Edo II), who became the deputy speaker.

In the spirit of the political divide, Obaseki, who is now the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the upcoming September 19 contest, assured Okiye of his backing even as the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag bearer, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, congratulated Edoror.

The first sign of trouble emerged in the early hours of yesterday when a detachment of policemen swooped on the Assembly complex ostensibly to forestall a run on the chamber by unauthorised persons.

But this would appear a decoy as 14 members, who had been refused entry since the convocation of the Assembly in June last year, gathered in a secret place in Benin where they were reportedly sworn to oaths of allegiance and office by the Deputy Clerk, Mr. Tom

The crisis arose from the proclamation of the Assembly by the governor in the night of June last year, with only 9 of the 24 members, holding its inaugural meeting where Okiye was elected speaker. The Assembly was subsequently shut for 14 days.

On July 11, 2019, the House of Representatives intervened and set up a fact-finding committee to investigate the crisis in the Assembly and requested the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, to shut down the complex pending the outcome of its investigation.

 
The House would later give Obaseki an ultimatum to issue a fresh proclamation to enable all members of the Assembly to congregate to elect their leaders. The Senate on July 30 concurred with the request.

But the governor ignored the ultimatum and refused to issue a fresh proclamation.

The matter moved to court on August 3, 2019 with the Federal High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt restraining Obaseki from issuing a fresh proclamation to the Edo State House of Assembly and on September 12, 2019, upheld the proclamation made by the governor and also stopped the National Assembly from taking over the functions of the Assembly.

In the meantime, two of the 14 members loyal to Oshiomhole crossed over to the Obaseki group, while the remaining 12 abstained from the Assembly and refused to present themselves for inauguration, forcing the speaker to declare their seats vacant on December 4, 2019.

But on January 7, 2020 a Federal High Court stopped INEC from conducting by-elections into the 12 seats declared vacant.

THISDAY gathered that yesterday’s push by the 17 lawmakers was given teeth by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, who gave the legal opinion that, enabled them to secure the police protection required to proceed on their course of action.

Analysts, however, faulted the action of the 17 lawmakers, citing the Supreme Court judgment in the case of former Oyo State Governor, Chief Rasheed Ladoja, which declared as unconstitutional legislative sessions held outside the parliamentary building.

Justice Niki Tobi, who read the lead judgment, said: “It appears to me from the intention of the Constitution that the House of Assembly will sit in the building provided for it and for that purpose. By the provision of section 104 of the Constitution, the House shall sit for a period of not less than one hundred and eighty-one days in a year.

“By section 108(1), the Governor of a State may attend a meeting of the House of Assembly either to deliver an address on State affairs or to make such a statement on the policy of the government as he may consider to be of importance to the State.

“In my humble view, a community reading of the two sections show that the intention of the Constitution is to make the House of Assembly sit physically in the building provided for that purpose. If I am wrong and the appellants are right, it will then mean that the governor has to move to a hotel to address the members anytime the House sits there and he wants to take advantage of section 108.”

However, earlier yesterday, a contingent of policemen was said to have taken over the legislative complex, denying access to the building.

The police siege, considered as an attempt to take over the state legislature to pave the way for the removal of the speaker and the sacking of Obaseki drew outrage from a cross-section of the people.

A former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, described the crisis in the state, arising from the irreconcilable differences between Oshiomhole and his successor, Obaseki, as a threat to the forthcoming election in the state.

The PDP Governors’ Forum, chaired by Sokoto State Governor, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, condemned the invasion of the Assembly while the main opposition party urged the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, to immediately stop the action and not to provide security cover for the perpetration of illegality by the APC.

How Okiye Was Removed

It was, however, learnt that Hon. Sunday Aghedo of Ovia South-west moved a motion signed by the 14 members-elect calling for Okiye’s removal.

He was seconded by Hon. Ohio Ezomo, (APC- Owan West).

The motion nominating Edoror was said to have been moved by Hon. Washington Osifo (APC Uhunmwode) and seconded by Hon. Eric Okaka (APC, Owan East).

Hon. Chris Okaeben (APC, Oredo West) moved the motion that got Hon. Emma Agbaje (APC, Akoko-Edo II) who acted as speaker extempore to be elected as deputy speaker.

In his address after his election, Edoror said the legislature would focus on its core duties and not pursue the removal of any member of the executive.

He called for unity and togetherness, stating that there was no victor, no vanquished.

Edoror also urged the Edo State Commissioner of Police and the Inspector General of Police and other security agencies to eject the thugs who he claimed invaded the legislative complex in Benin to allow for a rancour-free plenary today.

At the end of the session, Ohio moved the motion for adjournment and announced that plenary will resume today.

In his reaction, Okiye dismissed his removal as a non-issue.

He said: “I don’t want to respond because it is a non-issue.”

Police Barricade Assembly Complex

The premises of the Assembly had been taken over by security men from the Edo State Police Command in the early hours of yesterday.

There was a rumour that the lawmakers loyal to Oshiomhole had perfected plans for sitting at the Assembly complex, which is currently under renovation.

On Wednesday, Okiye had also raised the alarm, alleging that the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, and other leaders of APC had perfected plans to invade the Assembly with a view to removing Obaseki.

Therefore, the early morning siege on the Assembly was considered as part of the plot, given the fact that the lawmakers had been meeting within the precincts of the Government House since the legislative building was being renovated.

Okiye later visited the legislative complex where the head of the police officer in charge of the Assembly premises, Mr. Timi Peters, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), denied the alleged takeover, describing it as a rumour.

Okiye, after being briefed by Peters, noted that the official report at his disposal was that the place was being invaded.





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The crisis rocking the Edo State House of Assembly over its inauguration festered yesterday as 17 members removed the Speaker, Hon. Francis Okiye.

The removal, though in controversial circumstances, reflected the political divide between Governor Godwin Obaseki and his erstwhile godfather and predecessor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, whose loyalists spearheaded yesterday’s push aside of Okiye.

Okiye was replaced by Hon. Victor Edoror, representing Esan Central, as the new speaker.

Also elected was Hon. Emma Agbaje (APC, Akoko-Edo II), who became the deputy speaker.

In the spirit of the political divide, Obaseki, who is now the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the upcoming September 19 contest, assured Okiye of his backing even as the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag bearer, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, congratulated Edoror.

The first sign of trouble emerged in the early hours of yesterday when a detachment of policemen swooped on the Assembly complex ostensibly to forestall a run on the chamber by unauthorised persons.

But this would appear a decoy as 14 members, who had been refused entry since the convocation of the Assembly in June last year, gathered in a secret place in Benin where they were reportedly sworn to oaths of allegiance and office by the Deputy Clerk, Mr. Tom Efezokhae.

They, thereafter, removed Okiye and installed Edoror.

The crisis arose from the proclamation of the Assembly by the governor in the night of June last year, with only 9 of the 24 members, holding its inaugural meeting where Okiye was elected speaker. The Assembly was subsequently shut for 14 days.

On July 11, 2019, the House of Representatives intervened and set up a fact-finding committee to investigate the crisis in the Assembly and requested the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, to shut down the complex pending the outcome of its investigation.

The House would later give Obaseki an ultimatum to issue a fresh proclamation to enable all members of the Assembly to congregate to elect their leaders. The Senate on July 30 concurred with the request.

But the governor ignored the ultimatum and refused to issue a fresh proclamation.

The matter moved to court on August 3, 2019 with the Federal High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt restraining Obaseki from issuing a fresh proclamation to the Edo State House of Assembly and on September 12, 2019, upheld the proclamation made by the governor and also stopped the National Assembly from taking over the functions of the Assembly.

In the meantime, two of the 14 members loyal to Oshiomhole crossed over to the Obaseki group, while the remaining 12 abstained from the Assembly and refused to present themselves for inauguration, forcing the speaker to declare their seats vacant on December 4, 2019.

But on January 7, 2020 a Federal High Court stopped INEC from conducting by-elections into the 12 seats declared vacant.

THISDAY gathered that yesterday’s push by the 17 lawmakers was given teeth by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, who gave the legal opinion that, enabled them to secure the police protection required to proceed on their course of action.

Analysts, however, faulted the action of the 17 lawmakers, citing the Supreme Court judgment in the case of former Oyo State Governor, Chief Rasheed Ladoja, which declared as unconstitutional legislative sessions held outside the parliamentary building.

Justice Niki Tobi, who read the lead judgment, said: “It appears to me from the intention of the Constitution that the House of Assembly will sit in the building provided for it and for that purpose. By the provision of section 104 of the Constitution, the House shall sit for a period of not less than one hundred and eighty-one days in a year.

“By section 108(1), the Governor of a State may attend a meeting of the House of Assembly either to deliver an address on State affairs or to make such a statement on the policy of the government as he may consider to be of importance to the State.

“In my humble view, a community reading of the two sections show that the intention of the Constitution is to make the House of Assembly sit physically in the building provided for that purpose. If I am wrong and the appellants are right, it will then mean that the governor has to move to a hotel to address the members anytime the House sits there and he wants to take advantage of section 108.”

However, earlier yesterday, a contingent of policemen was said to have taken over the legislative complex, denying access to the building.

The police siege, considered as an attempt to take over the state legislature to pave the way for the removal of the speaker and the sacking of Obaseki drew outrage from a cross-section of the people.

A former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, described the crisis in the state, arising from the irreconcilable differences between Oshiomhole and his successor, Obaseki, as a threat to the forthcoming election in the state.

The PDP Governors’ Forum, chaired by Sokoto State Governor, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, condemned the invasion of the Assembly while the main opposition party urged the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, to immediately stop the action and not to provide security cover for the perpetration of illegality by the APC.

How Okiye Was Removed

It was, however, learnt that Hon. Sunday Aghedo of Ovia South-west moved a motion signed by the 14 members-elect calling for Okiye’s removal.

He was seconded by Hon. Ohio Ezomo, (APC- Owan West).

The motion nominating Edoror was said to have been moved by Hon. Washington Osifo (APC Uhunmwode) and seconded by Hon. Eric Okaka (APC, Owan East).

Hon. Chris Okaeben (APC, Oredo West) moved the motion that got Hon. Emma Agbaje (APC, Akoko-Edo II) who acted as speaker extempore to be elected as deputy speaker.

In his address after his election, Edoror said the legislature would focus on its core duties and not pursue the removal of any member of the executive.

He called for unity and togetherness, stating that there was no victor, no vanquished.

Edoror also urged the Edo State Commissioner of Police and the Inspector General of Police and other security agencies to eject the thugs who he claimed invaded the legislative complex in Benin to allow for a rancour-free plenary today.

At the end of the session, Ohio moved the motion for adjournment and announced that plenary will resume today.

In his reaction, Okiye dismissed his removal as a non-issue.

He said: “I don’t want to respond because it is a non-issue.”

Police Barricade Assembly Complex

The premises of the Assembly had been taken over by security men from the Edo State Police Command in the early hours of yesterday.

There was a rumour that the lawmakers loyal to Oshiomhole had perfected plans for sitting at the Assembly complex, which is currently under renovation.

On Wednesday, Okiye had also raised the alarm, alleging that the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, and other leaders of APC had perfected plans to invade the Assembly with a view to removing Obaseki.

Therefore, the early morning siege on the Assembly was considered as part of the plot, given the fact that the lawmakers had been meeting within the precincts of the Government House since the legislative building was being renovated.

Okiye later visited the legislative complex where the head of the police officer in charge of the Assembly premises, Mr. Timi Peters, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), denied the alleged takeover, describing it as a rumour.

Okiye, after being briefed by Peters, noted that the official report at his disposal was that the place was being invaded.

“From what you have told me, it is just a rumour. I am sure the rumour will even scare the intending invaders from carrying out the act,” he said.

Obaseki, who came into the Assembly with a retinue of aides and party supporters, assured the people that he will do everything within his constitutional powers to protect the sovereignty of the legislature, nothing that President Muhammadu Buhari had always maintained that the rule of law must be adhered to.