How ’19’ members impeached Edo Assembly Speaker

There was drama at the Edo State House of Assembly when the
Speaker of the House, Dr. Justin Okonoboh, was impeached, following
an impeachment notice signed by 16, out of the 24-member
assembly.

The former principal officer of the House representing Akoko Edo
I, Mr. Kabiru Adjoto, was elected as the new Speaker.

Three other members were said to have appended their signatures
to increase the number to 19.

The new leadership of the House also said that Okonoboh, his
deputy, Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie; and the former Majority Leader, Mr.
Foly Ogedengbe, had been suspended for three months.

But Ogedengbe described the impeachment as illegal, adding that
the House did not form a quorum.

The House had only reconvened after 26 days of break for
oversight functions when the incident occurred.

It was gathered that on the resumption of plenary, Emmanuel
Agbaje, read a letter of a vote of no confidence on the floor of
the House.

The member representing Etsako West II, Mr. Sylvanus Eruaga, was
said to have asked Okonoboh to vacate the exalted seat, a
development that led to a fight among some of the lawmakers in the
chambers.

Okonoboh was, however, said to have left the seat after much
pressure, leaving Eruaga to sit as Speaker pro
tempore.

Efforts by another member of the House, Magnus Igbas, to prevent
the removal of Okonoboh was said to have been heavily resisted by
some of his colleagues, who also descended on him.

It was also learnt that Adjoto was later elected as the new
Speaker after he was nominated by Eruaga.

The Assembly workers were locked out while the impeachment
lasted.

There was also a heavy presence of security operatives around
the premises to prevent a further breakdown of law and order.

There was drama at the Edo State House of Assembly when the
Speaker of the House, Dr. Justin Okonoboh, was impeached, following
an impeachment notice signed by 16, out of the 24-member
assembly.

The former principal officer of the House representing Akoko Edo
I, Mr. Kabiru Adjoto, was elected as the new Speaker.

Three other members were said to have appended their signatures
to increase the number to 19.

The new leadership of the House also said that Okonoboh, his
deputy, Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie; and the former Majority Leader, Mr.
Foly Ogedengbe, had been suspended for three months.

But Ogedengbe described the impeachment as illegal, adding that
the House did not form a quorum.

The House had only reconvened after 26 days of break for
oversight functions when the incident occurred.

It was gathered that on the resumption of plenary, Emmanuel
Agbaje, read a letter of a vote of no confidence on the floor of
the House.

The member representing Etsako West II, Mr. Sylvanus Eruaga, was
said to have asked Okonoboh to vacate the exalted seat, a
development that led to a fight among some of the lawmakers in the
chambers.

Okonoboh was, however, said to have left the seat after much
pressure, leaving Eruaga to sit as Speaker pro
tempore.

Efforts by another member of the House, Magnus Igbas, to prevent
the removal of Okonoboh was said to have been heavily resisted by
some of his colleagues, who also descended on him.

It was also learnt that Adjoto was later elected as the new
Speaker after he was nominated by Eruaga.

The Assembly workers were locked out while the impeachment
lasted.

There was also a heavy presence of security operatives around
the premises to prevent a further breakdown of law and order.