Edo Cirisis: Lawmakers Impeach Deputy Speaker, as Victor Edoror Takes Oath
The crisis ridden Edo State House of Assembly on Wednesday amidst tight security impeached its Deputy Speaker, Festus Ebea, on allegations of misconduct and misdemeanor.
15 lawmakers, including the Speaker of the House, Uyi Igbe, endorsed the impeachment when it held plenary at an old chamber located at the Government House in Benin.
The lawmakers also elected a new Deputy Speaker, Victor Edoror, who took the oath of office immediately.
While moving the motion for the impeachment, a member of the House, Folly Ogedengbe, representing Owan East I, noted that the suspended Deputy Speaker was bound to be impeached, citing Section 92(2C) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 72, Rule 19, of the Assembly.
The House explained that it had to hold sitting at the old chamber following ongoing renovation in the chambers located at the Anthony Enahoro Assembly Complex, which he linked to the forcible entry by the Deputy Speaker and some aides.
“This renovation work going on there was caused by the fact that the former Deputy Speaker and a group of aides who forcibly entered the place, destroying doors and windows.
“Of course, we had to repair them and put them back to shape,” Igbe said.
However, the unseated Deputy Speaker, Festus Ebea, described his impeachment as “executive impunity and madness”.
Ebea said the development indicated that the crisis in Assembly was the handiwork of the State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, who had ulterior motives.
Ebea, when contacted said, “These APC members are a bunch of dishonourable people who have lost sense of every human and legislative dignity.
“Finally, Edo people now know that Governor Oshiomhole precipitated the crisis in the House for his personal gain.
“He has finally colapsed Uyi Igbe and his Co travellers into his executive. What a shame.
“However, all they did in Governor Oshiomhole’s office today is not sitting but executive impunity and madness
“To all extent, it is null and void.”
The legislators had on June 27 adjourned sitting to today, while the group led by the Deputy Speaker adjourned to June 30 but could not gain access to the chamber.
By: AGENCY REPORTS
