Edo Assembly saga and the immediate renovation work

Oladipupo Mojeed Leading Stories, Politics 09/08/2020

Ahead of the Edo state gubernatorial election scheduled for September 19, so many dramas have been occurring in the South-South state.

The recent one that reared its ugly head was at the Edo state National Assembly that began to witnessed unplanned renovation work. This is believed to be the continuation of the clash between the forces for and against Governor Godwin Obaseki

It all started when Police operatives stormed the assembly complex. This heightened the tension of what was to happen during the day, and culminated in the presence of Obaseki and his deputy Phillip Shuaibu, who reportedly came to the complex with mobilised PDP supporters.

Okiye faction of the Assembly members during their swearing-in inside Edo State Assembly complex. Photo Source: Twitter

After the Speaker loyal to Obaseki, Frank Okiye addressed the supporters, the governor also vowed to restrict forceful takeover of the complex. Next was an unplanned and unbudgeted renovation at the complex after the roofs were quickly removed by artisans.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) where Obaseki recently defected to and won their governorship primary alleged there were plans by All Progressives Congress (APC) forces to take over the complex and impeach Okiye. This, they also believed could lead to the impeachment of Obaseki and Shuaibu.

What’s next in the Edo Assembly saga?

Now that the roof of the Edo assembly complex has been removed by forces believed to be loyal to the governor. The complex is not currently habitable for a lawmaking function.

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So, the 14 lawmakers opposed to the Governor were earlier in the day were reportedly seen around the complex. They now have an additional three earlier with Obaseki joining forces with them. This makes it 17 out of 24.

Can Okiye preside over the house with just six other members? Obviously no. So, to avoid impeachment, forces believed to be Obaseki’s loyalists ordered the heaping of sand at the front of the Assembly complex, claiming it was undergoing immediate renovation.

But the constitution is very clear in holding a gathering. All they need is 2/3 to form a quorum and make a decision. And that 2/3 is 20.

The lawmakers loyal to Ize-Iyamu during their swearing-in

Anti-Obaseki lawmakers believed to be now 17 later met at an undisclosed venue where they impeached Okiye and his Deputy, Roland Asoro, and elected Victor Edoror of Esan Central constituency as new Speaker at an emergency plenary session held in an apartment.

A representative of Akoko Edo constituency II, Emmanuel Agbaje was also elected as Deputy Speaker while the 14 members-elect were also inaugurated at the sitting in Benin.

Questions begging for answers

The questions that are begging for answers are when will the next plenary hold due to a renovation work? was there an appropriation for the renovation in the recently passed budget? Who did the bidding? Who won the contract? When was the contractor mobilized to the site?

If these questions are not answered by the Governor, it shows an act of dictatorship on his part as the chief security officer of the state.

Further question the opposition need to answer is that does 17 form a quorum? Can the inauguration say to be valid without the mace?

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One would also wonder how seven people will rule over 17 without agreeing with each other.

But does this mean that there won’t be a plenary session in the state house of assembly till that time? or Okiye and six others will proceed to another apartment like the ones loyal to former APC Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole?

This saga is not going to end anytime soon. It is likely to be decided by the electorates at the polling booth come September 19. Time will tell what will spring up in the days ahead.