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Tag: Edo Assembly

  • Court voids Edo lawmaker’s suspension

    An Edo State High Court has declared the three months suspension slammed on Hon. Godwin Adenomo by lawmakers in the Edo State House of Assembly as unconstitutional, illegal and of no effect whatsoever.

    Adenomo, who is representing Ovia South West constituency, was suspended on May 16 for demanding payment of N220million as his outstanding benefits and salaries.

    He was suspended for the first three months in the first instance for failing to appear before the House adhoc committee to prove his claims.

    Speaker of the Assembly, Kabiru Adjoto, said Adenomo did not follow proper channel in line with the House rules to make his demands.

    He described the matter as political and deliberate attempt to malign and bring the house to disrepute.

    However, delivering judgment in a suit filed by Adenomo’s counsel, Kingsley Obamogie, Justice V.O. Oviawe held that the Speaker lacked powers to suspend Adenomo for three months.

    Justice Oviawe, who declared that suspending the lawmaker without any hearing was unconstitutional and invalid, set aside the purported suspension of Adenomo by the House.

     

     

     

  • Edo Assembly summons NDDC commissioner over abandoned road projects

    The Edo House of Assembly on Wednesday summoned the Commissioner representing the state in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board, Mr. Saturday Uwuelekhue, over abandoned road projects in the state.

    The Speaker of the Assembly, Kabiru Adjoto, directed the commissioner to appear before the house on May 28 with a list of all ongoing projects in the state.

    Adjoto said Uwuelekhue should appear with the details of the projects included in the state 2018 budget.

    The Majority Leader, Roland Asoro, had earlier moved the motion and was seconded by the Deputy Speaker, Victor Edoror.

    Asoro said there was need for the NDDC to rehabilitate the Benin-Abraka road and the commissioner should appear before the House to explain this.

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    He said the Benin-Abraka road leading to some communities in Orhionmwon area of the state had deteriorated, making it impossible for farmers in the area to move their produce to the city.

    “The aim of the Commission is to develop the Niger-Delta region and rehabilitate the roads. Several road projects embarked upon by the NDDC have been abandoned.

    ” For the past four years, the road has been in bad shape. The road also connects Edo and Delta States,” he said.

    NAN

     

  • PDP presents anti-grazing bill to Edo Assembly

    PDP presents anti-grazing bill to Edo Assembly

    Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has forwarded a bill to the House of  Assembly prohibiting open rearing and grazing of livestock.

    The bill provides for the establishment of ranches and livestock administration, regulation and control.

    It said the bill would prevent clashes between herders and farmers as well as destruction of farms and ponds settlement.

    The presentation is coming eight months after the Assembly threw out a bill seeking to establish an agency for nomadic cattle rearing and grazing in the state.

    State PDP Chairman Chief Dan Orbih told reporters in Benin City that the party instructed its members to present the bill after consultations with stakeholders.

    Orbih said that the ban on night grazing by Governor Godwin Obaseki was deceitful and pretentious as, according to him, the pronouncement lacked legal backing.

    He described Obaseki’s pronouncement as a ‘statement without force’, adding that no herdsman caught grazing at night can be prosecuted with a mere pronouncement.

    He said the party’s bill would assist Obaseki in tackling herdsmen menace.

    In a letter to the Speaker, Kadiri Adjoto, Orbih urged lawmakers to treat the bill with the urgency it deserves.

    The letter reads: “We are a responsible political party standing in guard for the good people of Edo State. We cannot stand by in the knowledge that the government’s vexation policy on ban on night grazing is inadequate, not well thought out and a complete failure.”

  • Edo LG polls: State Assembly can validly amend Electoral Law, reduce length of poll notice – Lawyers

    Edo LG polls: State Assembly can validly amend Electoral Law, reduce length of poll notice – Lawyers

    The plot by the Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to disrupt the forthcoming local government elections in the state, by contesting the powers of the Edo State House of Assembly to make and amend laws for local government elections, has come under attack by legal experts.

     Percy Okojie Esq., a lawyer, declared “The Edo State House of Assembly has the power to legislate on local council elections.”

     He said: “I am aware that the Edo House of Assembly pushed through a motion and the proper procedure was duly followed. Memoranda were duly sought before the bill was passed into law. The House of Assembly has members of both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Except the PDP is saying that there was no quorum while the amendment was passed. In any case, in democracy, majority carries the day, though the minority has its say.

     “If members of the PDP feel otherwise, they should go to court and if they have not gone to court, then they are just dancing to the gallery.”

    Another lawyer, Omogiate Aigbovo said that “Section 90 of the 1999 Constitution provides for the establishment of the State House of Assembly. To this end, the primary responsibility of the House Assembly amongst others, includes to make laws for the good governance of the state.”

     Aigbovo explained that “despite the recent hues and cries over whether the  Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA) can singlehandedly amend the EDSIEC Law, the position of the law is unambiguous on this. It entirely falls within the constitutional mandate of the EDHA to amend the EDSIEC law or as well abrogate the law or enact a new law.”

     The expert views of the lawyers are in harmony with the earlier explanation by the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation and two-time member of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Paul Ohonbamu, who said that the  “The PDP lacks a proper understanding of the law. The Assembly has the rights to make laws for the running and wellbeing of Local Governments including local government elections. The House of Assembly has performed its constitutional duties by amending the Electoral Act.”

     Citing a precedent in the EDHA, Ohonbamu said “Similar amendment was done under the administration of Prof. Oserhiemen Osunbo in 2007. The amendments disenfranchised certain people who were caretaker committee chairmen from contesting in the election and nothing was said about it then.”

     He added: “The function of the Edo State House of Assembly is to make laws according to the rules of the house in the interest of all Edo people and this they have done. The PDP should approach the court of law for proper legal interpretations if they are confused and not engage in acts of rascality. The PDP should not create tension where there is none. The house has the duty to amend laws.”

     Ohonbamu said the PDP was aware of its paltry and worthless electoral value and was looking for ways to sabotage the local council elections.

  • Edo Assembly urges Fed Govt to revoke road contract

    •Lawmakers decry slow pace of Benin-Auchi highway

    The  Edo State House of Assembly yesterday called on the Federal Government to revoke  the contract awarded for  the reconstruction of  the Benin-Ekpoma-Auchi road.

    Speaker Adjoto Kabiru  made the call at Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area while leading members on a ‘protest inspection’ of the road.

    Kabiru decried the slow pace of work by the contracting firms.

    He said the deplorable state of the road had hampered socio-economic development of the people as well as others plying the road.

    “It is our view as an Assembly that the contract awarded to Dantata and Sawoe, Mother Cat and Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) should be revoked. Raji Fashola is a man that we respect. He is doing wonderfully well as a minister but  on this Benin-Ekpoma-Auchi-Okpella road , there is need to revisit the performance of the contractors. They are not competent.

    “We are dissatisfied with the Federal Controller of Works and we have resolved that the contractors can no longer deceive us.

    “The present condition of the road was unacceptable to residents in the state who now travel through Ondo or Delta states to get to their destination.

    “The protest on the road was to show solidarity and share in the pains experienced by travellers and motorists.

    “Our oversight functions have doubled. We are now together as a team. It is unacceptable for Edo residents to travel through Ondo State when coming from Edo North.

    “We are not satisfied with the pace of work and quality of jobs done. We are moving through that road. We know Edo people are suffering,” the Speaker said.

    He said the road was awarded to four contractors, to be completed in 36 months.

    Kabiru alleged that the level of work done by the firms is below the huge funds released to them  by the Federal Government.

    He said  the people and the Assembly were not satisfied with their performance.

    Responding, Principal Resident Engineer in charge of Ekpoma road, Mr Ishaku Mamri, said he was not in a position to tell lawmakers reasons for  the alleged delay.

    He said Dantata and Sawoe construction firm was mobilised to the Ekpoma axis for palliative works to address traffic challenges on the road.

    Also speaking, Project Site Supervisor for the firm, Malam Suleiman Nasiru, said the initial contract awarded to the firm was from Agbede in Etsako West to Ewu hill in Esan Central.

    Nasiru added that the Ekpoma axis was recently awarded to the company to address the traffic challenges in the area.

  • ‘We ‘II restore stability in Edo Assembly’

    ‘We ‘II restore stability in Edo Assembly’

    Hon. Osagboivo Iyoha is the lawmaker representing Oredo East Constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly. In this interview with OSAGIE OTABOR,  he rules out any further change of the Speaker.

    What can you say about the current Assembly making history by having four Speakers within two years?

    It is the beauty of democracy. What is constant in life is change. We have four Speakers in two years because of the situation we find ourselves. We realised that, base on the political tripod, the slot is zoned to Edo Central. If you look at the dynamics of politics, Edo Central among the three senatorial districts is the most disadvantaged, in terms of the lawmakers we have in the APC from that zone. There are three members of the ruling party from Edo Central in the House. In Edo South, all the lawmakers are from the APC. In Edo North, we have almost 100 percent lawmakers. There are limitations in the choice of candidates we can pick from Edo Central. In the scenario, there is bound to be issues.

    Why the use violent means?

    This is parliament. There is nothing that happened there that is out of the ordinary. We have had worst fights in other assemblies. Fighting in the Assembly happens across the world. It is bound to happen where you have people from diverse areas coming together. In democracy, minority will have their say while the majority will have their way. It is normal.

    There are allegations that the constant leadership change was as a result of the new lawmakers like yourself who want to make quick money and not to serve the people.

    These are the figment of the imagination of whoever is propelling that analogy. Before veering into politics, I am a business man. This Assembly has the highest number of people that already carved a niche for themselves either in business or politics. It is not a case of the new lawmakers coming in to enrich themselves. The new lawmakers did not get elected to make billions of naira. The House of Assembly is not where you expect to make money. It is about sacrifice. Nobody has come into the Assembly to make money. This new Assembly has men who came to serve after establishing themselves. You know we have 24 lawmakers. We did not expect to have four speakers within two years. I am a businessman before coming into politics. I believe in firing an employee that did not meet up to standard. You keep on firing until you get the right person.

    Are there plans to succumb to the agitation to return the Speaker’s seat to an Esan lawmaker?

    I believe this will be the last leadership by this Assembly because you have to worry about public perception. You don’t have to be the head of an organisation to change the lives of the people of Esanland. I believe there are other ways. We are 24 members. We are all qualify to become Speaker as majority of us are members of the ruling party. Nobody was elected as a speaker. The issue to worry about is not about balancing of power but impacting on the people of Esanland. I do not think the people will be too worried if without being Speaker they can get the dividends of democracy. We are here as lobbyist trying to drag projects to our people. It is good we have a stable house. We are here to make laws for them and not for rancour. Under the new leadership, we will make sure we impact on their lives with good laws. We just wanted to make sure our House is the type that can work with the executive. The present administration is focused on delivering the dividends of democracy to the people. Governor Obaseki has spent barely eight months in office and you can see the kind of project he has embarked on. The people are already feeling him. If we have such a leadership with a corrupt House of Assembly, we will never be able to fully transmit the vision of the governor to the people. We are the first representatives of the people. We are in constant touch with the people. The last leadership was self serving. If the people are happy with the governor, for what reason will the lawmakers said they are not happy.

    Why was Okonoboh removed from office?

    The former Speaker, Okonoboh, was removed for abuse of office. He allowed himself to be used by other principal officers. He was grossly incompetent. Our procurement laws in awarding contracts were abused. A lot really went bad under Okonoboh. If you are managing 24 people, you should be able to leave above board. There was a vote of no confidence on the past leadership. The issues are now before a committee.

  • Oshiomhole urges ex- Edo Speaker to return official vehicles

    Oshiomhole urges ex- Edo Speaker to return official vehicles

    Former Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, on Wednesday urged the former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Elizabeth Ativie to return the vehicles she used while in office.

    Oshiomhole, who denied asking Ativie to convert the vehicles for her personal use, said he lacked the power to give out vehicles belonging to the Assembly.

    Ativie served as Speaker for 84 days before she stepped down to become the Deputy Speaker.

    She was impeached as deputy speaker on August 14 but refused to return her official vehicles.

    She had told the new leadership of the Assembly headed by Hon. Kabiru Adjoto that the vehicles were given to her by Oshiomhole as compensation for the  “sacrifice” she made by stepping down as speaker for an Esan lawmaker to emerge as speaker.

    The former speaker said she registered the vehicles – two Hilux vans, a Toyota prado jeep and a Lexus jeep 2016 model – in her name and had sold one of them.

    Speaking to journalists at his Iyamho residence, Oshiomhole said Ativie was only asked to use the vehicles as deputy speaker and not to convert them to her personal properties.

    He said Ativie should be prosecuted if it was true she actually registered the vehicles in her name and sold one of them.

  • Edo Assembly lifts suspension on ex-Speaker

    Edo State House of Assembly has lifted the suspension placed on the immediate past Speaker, Dr. Justin Okonoboh and Majority Leader, Mr. Foly Ogedengbe.

    Both Okonoboh and Ogedengbe were impeached last week Monday by 16 lawmakers for allegedly desecrating the House and Gross misconduct.

    The House resolution to lift the suspension followed the recommendations of an ad hoc committee headed by the new Deputy Speaker, Victor Edoro.

    But the suspension of the former Deputy Speaker, Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie, and the member representing Esan North-East II, Mr. Magnus-Desmond Ezehi, were not lifted.

    They were asked to show a sign of cooperation with the committee.

    Reading recommendations of the committee, Edoror explained that the former speaker and majority leader were “seemingly cooperative” with investigations while Ativie and Igbas showed no respect to the committee and the House as at the time of submitting its preliminary report.

    Edoro reported some of the property of the assembly has been returned by both Okonoboh and Ezehi.

    “Consequently, the suspension of the  members, Okonoboh and Ogedengbe, is hereby lifted, while Ativie and Igbas remain suspended,” Adjoto said shortly after the resolution was passed on Monday.

    Meanwhile, the assembly has reconstituted its Principal Officers Council and 23 House committees.

    The new members of the council and their positions include Mr. Sunday Eghedo (APC), Deputy Leader; Mr. Osaigbovo Iyoha (APC), Chief Whip; Mr. Sylvanus Eruaga (PDP), Minority Leader; Mr. Audu Ganiyu (APC), Deputy Chief Whip; Mr. Sunday Osazemwinde (APC), co-pted member; and Mr. Festus Edughele (APC), co-opted member.

  • Edo Assembly lifts ex-Speaker’s suspension

    Edo Assembly lifts ex-Speaker’s suspension

    Edo State House of Assembly on Monday lifted the suspension placed on the immediate past Speaker of the House, Dr. Justin Okonoboh and Majority Leader, Mr. Foly Ogedengbe.

    Okonoboh and Ogedengbe were impeached last Monday for allegedly desecrating the House and gross misconduct.

    The decision to lift the suspension followed the recommendations of an ad hoc committee headed by the new Deputy Speaker, Victor Edoro.

    But the suspension of the former Deputy Speaker, Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie and a member representing Esan North-East II, Mr. Magnus-Desmond Ezehi, were not lifted.

    They were asked to show signs of cooperation with the committee before the suspension would be lifted.

    Reading the recommendations of the committee, Edoror said the former speaker and majority leader were cooperating with the investigative panel, while Ativie and Igbas had showed no respect to the committee and the House.

    Edoro some of the House properties had been returned by Okonoboh and Ezehi.

    “Consequently, the suspension of the members, Okonoboh and Ogedengbe, is hereby lifted, while Ativie and Igbas remain suspended,” Adjoto said shortly after the resolution was passed on Monday.

     

     

  • Updated: Adjoto emerges new Edo Speaker

    Updated: Adjoto emerges new Edo Speaker

    A lawmaker representing Akoko-Edo I State Constituency, Kabiru Adjoto, has been elected the new Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly.

    He replaced Justin Okonoboh who was removed Monday morning.

    Adjoto would be the fourth Speaker to preside over the Assembly since 2015.

    Former Speaker, Victor Edoror, who was impeached in 2016 over alleged high-handedness, dictatorial tendencies and financial recklessness, was elected the Deputy Speaker while Roland Asoro was made Majority Leader.

    Adjoto was elected Speaker by 16 lawmakers after a vote of no confidence was passed on Okonoboh.

    The new Speaker has set up a three-man panel to probe Okonoboh’s tenure.