There was drama on Monday as 9 out of 24 members-elect of the Edo State House of Assembly at about 10:22pm, ‘elected’ a new Speaker and Deputy Speaker for the 7th Assembly, Newsflash247 reports.
Newsflash247 gathered that the Hon Frank Okiye from Esan North East was sworn-in as Speaker, Hon Yekini Idiaye from Akoko Edo was elected Deputy Speaker.
Governor Godwin Obaseki and his Deputy, Philip Shaibu reportedly whisked away the 9 members-elect, the Clerk of the House of Assembly, among other officials to stage a secret and partial inauguration amidst rumoured rift with his predecessor, Adams Oshiomhole.
The move, Newsflash247 reliably gathered, was to shut out Oshiomhole’s loyalists from attending the inauguration and to forestall lost of loyalty in the Obaseki’s camp.
Newsflash247 recalls that about 19 out of the 24 lawmakers-elect had on Monday afternoon, addressed a press conference where they raised the alarm over Governor Obaseki’s refusal to issue a proclamation letter for the inauguration of the House.
They equally alleged that the governor had threatened to sanction them if they should vote against his preferred candidate for the Speakership. The Edo APC Chairman, Anselm Ojezua confirmed the development, citing “party supremacy.” The 24 lawmakers-elect are all members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
It was alleged that the sum of N10 million was given to each of the lawmaker-elect who attended the swearing-in on Monday night.
Findings revealed that 4 out of the 19 members-elect who had earlier issued a press statement, later joined the House for the inauguration.
The new speaker, Okiye had adjourned Plenary till July 17.
