Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City
The ranks of lawmakers that signed the impeachment notice removing the former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Victor Edoror, have continued to swell as the member representing Oredo East, Osaigbovo Iyoha, who was on his side, has joined the 16 members who impeached him on Tuesday.
Iyoha’s move, THISDAY gathered was made know wednesday during a victory party organised by the new speaker, Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie, when she presented the 17th member in her camp.
During the party, which took place at the legislative quarters, the newly elected speaker reassured members of the assembly of her decision to run an open door leadership.
She said the purpose of bringing the members together was to reaffirm that she remained the newly elected speaker of the assembly and to assure them of her desire to run an open door leadership.
“We have given you the opportunity to see all the members that have taken part in this impeachment and that we have been able to clear the air and that you should not have any doubt in your mind and in fact, from 16 members we are now 17 members.
“And by our rules two-third of the 24 is 16 and all the statutory things that we are supposed to do, we have done it. And as we speak now, we have started doing the work of the assembly and you are going to see a very re-burst assembly, you are going to see a assembly that will be an envy that other states are going to emulate.
“The Edo House of assembly will run a very inclusive and transparent house and we will not allow cheating any more,” she said.
She said being the first female speaker of the house, was a big challenge and that all that she needed to do is to work hard to surpass the men who have been speakers of the Assembly.
Speaking earlier, Chris Okabean (Oredo West) said they had absolute trust in the leadership of the newly-elected speaker, Ative and that they would give her the necessary support to succeed as the speaker of the assembly.
“We are here this afternoon to reaffirm our united commitment that the impeached speaker
stands impeached and that the Edo assembly stands united under the leadership of Ative,” he said.
However, rumour making the rounds has it that Governor Oshipmhole during the meeting he held with the lawmakers just after the impeachment of the former speaker, Edoror, had offered the aggrieved lawmakers Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) to bring back to office.
In his reaction however, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Oshiomhole, Mr. Peter Okhiria, debunked the rumour, saying the impeachment of the speaker had nothing to do with the issue of SUVs.
According to him, “The lawmakers for long have requested for official vehicles which has been approved. So the impeachment is not connected to SUVs but an internal matter between the lawmakers themselves.”
