Reps set up committee to probe crisis in Edo House of Assembly

The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the on-going crisis in the Edo State House of Assembly.

During plenary on Tuesday, the green chamber set up an ad hoc committee to probe the matter. The committee was given a week to conclude its task.

Ripples Nigeria had reported that 14 Edo lawmakers, said to be loyal to Adams Oshiomhole, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday stormed the National Assembly to pray the federal lawmakers to take over the running of Edo Assembly pending when a proper inauguration is done.

There has been chaos in the Edo assembly since nine of the 24 members-elect of the Edo assembly got inaugurated under controversial circumstances on June 17. As a result, legislative proceedings have been suspended at the assembly.

READ ALSO: 14 Edo lawmakers loyal to Oshiomhole beg NASS to takeover state Assembly

Three members, Hons Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, Peter Akpatason and Johnson Oghuma sponsored a motion with the title: Urgent Need for intervention in the Edo State House of Assembly Crisis brought before the House.

Ihonvbere had asked the lower legislative chamber to urgently step in and take over the assembly with the hope of restoring law and order.

He claimed that those not sworn in were once harassed by “thugs led by one of the governor’s aides.”

Also, he noted that there can be no normal legislative business under the circumstances, and called on the house to ensure that the “proper procedure for inaugurating the legislature” is done.

Most of the lawmakers who spoke at plenary supported the call to take over the assembly until the crisis is resolved.

Abdulrazak Namdas from Adamawa state, however, called on his colleagues to first set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the matter.

“We are democrats so we should investigate and follow up on whoever that is found wanting,” he said.

Toby Okechukwu endorsed his submission, stating that “taking over without investigating the matter would have its negative implications”.

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