Edo State House of Assembly takes off amidst controversies

The new Edo State House of Assembly took off on Monday night in a controversial manner as nine of the 24 members-elect were inaugurated behind closed doors.

A statement issued by Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media and Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, and released to newsmen at exactly 1.39am on Tuesday, indicated that the inauguration took place with nine of the 24 members-elect present and that the event took place at 3pm on Monday.

However, sources close to the Assembly revealed that the inauguration actually took place at about 9.30 pm and was presided over by the Clerk of the House, Alhaji Audu Yahaya Omogbai

A picture of the inauguration that surfaced online also showed one of the lawmakers wearing a black vest and jacket on a pair of short knickers.

“Members present at the inauguration include Hon. Nosa Okunbor; Hon. Henry Okuarobo; Hon. Uyi Ekhosuehi; Hon. Marcus Onobun; Hon. Ephraim Anehbosele; Hon. Roland Asoro; Hon. Eric Okaka; Hon Frank Okiye and Hon Yekini Idiaye.”

Read also: Imo gov, Ihedioha sacks all chief executives of govt agencies

“The much-anticipated inauguration of the Edo state House of Assembly took place in Benin City at around 3pm, on Monday, June 17, 2019.

“The Clerk of the Edo House of Assembly, Alhaji Audu Yahaya Omogbai, ushered the members-elect into the chamber and read out the letter of proclamation transmitted to the office of the clerk by the Executive Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki.

“After reading the letter, the Clerk proclaimed the House and the members-elect began the process of electing the House leadership, with Rt. Hon. Frank Okiye of Esan North East Constituency I, emerging the Speaker, while Hon. Yekini Idiaye of Akoko Edo Constituency I, was elected Deputy Speaker.

“Upon completion of the process of swearing-in, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Okiye took charge of proceedings and thanked all the members-elect present for the confidence reposed in him, promising that he would work for the people of Edo State,” Osagie said in the statement.

The new Speaker was also qouted in the statement as saying: “It is with the deepest sense of humility that I receive this call to serve the people and I assure that I will do all in my power to serve their best interest at all times.

“I congratulate my colleagues and fellow members who are today inaugurated. I call on members-elect who have not satisfied the process of swearing-in, which includes the completion of the asset declaration form, to do so speedily so they could be inaugurated to undertake the task for which the people elected them.”

The Speaker adjourned sitting till July 17.

Controversy started brewing after 19 members-elect on Monday issued a statement denouncing the alleged refusal of Governor Obaseki to issue a letter of proclamation for the inauguration of the legislative arm.

Edo State House of Assembly takes off amidst controversy

The new Edo State House of Assembly took off on Monday night in a controversial manner as nine of the 24 members-elect were inaugurated behind closed doors.

A statement issued by Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media and Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, and released to newsmen at exactly 1.39am on Tuesday, indicated that the inauguration took place with nine of the 24 members-elect present and that the event took place at 3pm on Monday.

However, sources close to the Assembly revealed that the inauguration actually took place at about 9.30 pm and was presided over by the Clerk of the House, Alhaji Audu Yahaya Omogbai

A picture of the inauguration that surfaced online also showed one of the lawmakers wearing a black vest and jacket on a pair of short knickers.

“Members present at the inauguration include Hon. Nosa Okunbor; Hon. Henry Okuarobo; Hon. Uyi Ekhosuehi; Hon. Marcus Onobun; Hon. Ephraim Anehbosele; Hon. Roland Asoro; Hon. Eric Okaka; Hon Frank Okiye and Hon Yekini Idiaye.”

“The much-anticipated inauguration of the Edo state House of Assembly took place in Benin City at around 3pm, on Monday, June 17, 2019.

“The Clerk of the Edo House of Assembly, Alhaji Audu Yahaya Omogbai, ushered the members-elect into the chamber and read out the letter of proclamation transmitted to the office of the clerk by the Executive Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki.

“After reading the letter, the Clerk proclaimed the House and the members-elect began the process of electing the House leadership, with Rt. Hon. Frank Okiye of Esan North East Constituency I, emerging the Speaker, while Hon. Yekini Idiaye of Akoko Edo Constituency I, was elected Deputy Speaker.

“Upon completion of the process of swearing-in, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Okiye took charge of proceedings and thanked all the members-elect present for the confidence reposed in him, promising that he would work for the people of Edo State,” Osagie said in the statement.

The new Speaker was also qouted in the statement as saying: “It is with the deepest sense of humility that I receive this call to serve the people and I assure that I will do all in my power to serve their best interest at all times.

“I congratulate my colleagues and fellow members who are today inaugurated. I call on members-elect who have not satisfied the process of swearing-in, which includes the completion of the asset declaration form, to do so speedily so they could be inaugurated to undertake the task for which the people elected them.”

The Speaker adjourned sitting till July 17.

Controversy started brewing after 19 members-elect on Monday issued a statement denouncing the alleged refusal of Governor Obaseki to issue a letter of proclamation for the inauguration of the legislative arm.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now