The embattled Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon Victor Edoror, has insisted that he remained the Speaker of the House.
He spoke shortly after plenary with six other lawmakers in attendance.
However, thugs beat up The Nation correspondent, Osagie Otabor, inside the Speaker’s office.
The thugs attacked the reporter after the embattled Speaker spoke to journalists in his office.
Edoror said only 11 lawmakers were at the sitting that impeached him.
The Edo House of Assembly on Thursday passed the 2016 budget estimates of N116.6 billion.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole had on December 14, 2015 presented a budget size of N111.5 billion to the house for consideration and passage.
The budget as presented by the governor consists of N58.9billion as capital expenditures while the proposed recurrent expenditures stood at N52.6 billion
The house shored up the appropriation bill with about N5 billion.
Considering the bill clause-by-clause, the Chairman, Appropriation and Project Monitoring, Hon Damian Lawani (APC Etsako Central), said the budget reflected the views of the people and was designed to complete all ongoing projects.
During the consideration of the bill, N59.5 billion was allocated for capital expenditures, while N57.2 billion was allocated for re-current expenditures.
The breakdown of the bill showed that N15.6 billion, N300million, N2 billion and N17.8 billion were allocated for the recurrent expenditures of the administrative, economic sectors, law and justice and social sectors respectively.
Also N1.7billion, N22.3 billion, N 208m, N35.2billion were allocated for the capital expenditures for the administrative, economic sectors, law and justice and social sectors respectively.
The house after consideration of the document with amendment passed the bill.
The Speaker, Victor Edoror, directed that clean copies of the bill be sent to the governor for his approval.
The Edo State House of Assembly on Thursday approved the removal of two council chairmen who were earlier suspended.
The sacked chairmen are – Osaro Obazee of Oredo local government area and Emmanuel Momoh of Etsako Central LGA respectively.
Both were suspended in June last year over inability to pay salaries, illegal appointments and diversion of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), amongst other allegations.
The lawmakers said the two chairmen were indicted by the panel of inquiry that investigated allegations against them.
Two other chairmen, Victor Enobakhare and Roland Ibieorutonwen, of Egor and Orhionmwon LGAs, who were also suspended, were reinstated by the lawmakers.
The lawmakers said the panel’s report did not indict Enobakhare and Ibieorutonmwen, adding that both chairmen were not given fair hearing.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction of the Edo House of Assembly yesterday summoned the state Director of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to appear before it on September 15.
Festus Ebea, who led the faction at its plenary in Benin, said the FERMA director should explain the alleged misconduct of some officials of the Edo State Traffic Management Agency (EDSTMA) on federal roads in the state.
Ebea said the House had passed a resolution calling on EDSTMA officials to stop further harassment of road users on federal roads in the state.
According to him, “though we have noticed a reduction in their activities on federal roads, some of them are still seen operating on the roads.
“We want the director to tell us how far they have gone in enforcing the resolution and the challenges they are facing in the state.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) faction of the Assembly has called on the Federal Government to provide relief materials to victims of rainstorm in Fugar, Etsako Central Local Government Area.
Moving the motion under matters of urgent public importance, Johnson Oghumah (APC- Etsako Central), said since the disaster, the National Emergency Management Agency had not provided relief materials to the victims.
The Speaker, Uyi Igbe, and other members, however, said the state had done a lot to cushion the effect of the disaster in the community.
The crisis rocking the Edo State House of Assembly is yet to abate as the lawmakers resumed at separate plenaries yesterday.
Nine Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers resumed at the Assembly Complex at the Oba Ovoranmen Square. The All Progressives Congress (APC), led by Speaker Uyi Igbe, resumed at the old Assembly chambers inside the Government House.
The PDP lawmakers adopted 77 sitting days. The APC lawmakers adopted 75 sitting days for the fourth session, second quarter of the Fifth Assembly.
Crisis erupted in the Assembly on June 9 when the impeached Deputy Speaker, Festus Ebea and three others were suspended for alleged misconduct.
A group, Kukuruku Youth Renaissance Network, has alerted the public to the death of its member, Mr. Daniel Aifegha, who was allegedly shot dead by gunmen.
A human rights activist, Rev. David Ugolor, has also alleged that there were threats to his life over the political situation in Edo State.
The Nation learnt that Aifegha was killed in his hometown, Eme-Ora, on Monday.
Kukuruku Youth Renaissance Network urged the police to investigate the murder allegedly linked to his stance on the crisis in the House of Assembly.
In a statement made available to The Nation, the body alleged that before he was killed, the deceased had confrontation with a political leader on the Assembly crisis.
The group’s President, Comrade Theophilus Ibodeme and Secretary- General, Comrade Anthony Igiebor, alleged that Aifegha was threatened before he was murdered.
They called for investigation to bring the suspects to justice.
“We implore the police and other security agents to make use of the available facts, such as the deceased’s call log, messages, interaction on his facebook account and his conversation with those with him before he died, to aid investigation,” the statement said.
The Executive Director of Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Rev. David Ugolor, alleged that he received threat messages on his facebook from people who called him an All Progressives Congress (APC) activist.
He said in a statement yesterday: “Considering the suspicious movements of some unknown persons around my office in the last few days, I am alerting the police, Department of State Security (DSS) and other security agencies to take note of this threat to my life by yet-to-be- identified persons.
“I consider this development a threat to freedom of speech and an attempt to stop me from exercising my right to hold opinion on issues that affect my state and country.”
Ugolor said he would forward the names of the suspected persons to the police.
Majority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly Philip Shaibu has said the crisis in the Assembly was not fuelled by the defection of four All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers.
Shaibu told reporters yesterday in Benin that what happened was contrary to the claims making the rounds.
“The crisis was rather fuelled by the refusal of the four lawmakers who defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to obey a court order,’’ he said.
The lawmaker said the APC, whose members are in the majority, had no problem with the defection.
He said the four PDP lawmakers, before their defection, went to court to prevent the Assembly from declaring their seats vacant or suspending them.
“We (the House) obeyed the first prayer. But the court did not grant them the second prayer, which was meant to stop us from suspending them.
“The House of Assembly has its rules and it allows for the suspension of erring members and members who are disobedient.
“It was on this basis that the four erring members were suspended. They refused to obey the court order suspending them and even disregarded the court order, which forbids them from coming into the Assembly. We cannot be lawmakers and lawbreakers at the same time.”
The House condemned reports referring to it as APC House of Assembly.
The Chairman, Committee on Information, Kabiru Adjoto, said the House was referred to as Edo APC House of Assembly.
This, according to the lawmaker, amounted to a deliberate attempt to misinform the public.
He emphasised that though they were elected under the APC platform, they should not be addressed as “APC House of Assembly or APC lawmakers”, adding that as lawmakers, they are representatives of the people.
The crisis rocking the Edo State House of Assembly enters its sixth week today, amid anxiety among residents.
Last week, two lawmakers- Emmanuel Okoduwa and Kingsley Ehigiamusoe- were suspended for aiding the four suspended lawmakers to break into the Assembly complex.
Residents are apprehensive of another police blockade of major streets leading to the Oba Ovoramwen Square when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers, led by the impeached Deputy Speaker, Festus Ebea, resume sitting.
The PDP lawmakers held their plenary in the unkempt chamber at the Assembly complex after they broke the armoured door and iron protector.
Six persons, including two former Assembly workers, Omoregbe Osagie and Okoh Godwin, who were sacked for certificate forgery, were present at the PDP lawmakers’ plenary.
The hopes of the PDP lawmakers were dashed last week, when the Court of Appeal asked them to obey court orders.
The Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Mohammed Lima, granted an interim order restraining the police from preventing or continuing to prevent the plaintiffs, including Assembly workers, from accessing the premises and their offices, pending the hearing and the determination of the motion on notice.
Justice Lima restrained the police from preventing the workers engaged by the Assembly from continuing the renovation of the Assembly.
He, however, denied the prayer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to restrain PDP lawmakers from holding plenary or carrying out legislative functions, pending the hearing of the motion on notice.
The judge held that the lawmakers’ prayers were within the jurisdiction of the State High Court”.
What is perhaps certain is that the PDP lawmakers might continue sitting alone as the Assembly workers have been ordered to resume duty at another location, pending completion of renovation work.
A proposed solidarity strike by Organised Labour was put off last week after the Assembly workers assured labour leaders that normalcy has returned to the Assembly.
The Chairman, State Parliamentary Association of Nigeria, Shugaba Aliyu, said the workers only recognised the legitimacy of Igbe as the de facto and de jure Speaker.
He said: “Our members don’t see any need in embarking on any industrial action on account of threat to our personal safety. If anything, our only prayer today is that the renovation works at the Anthony Enahoro House be expedited so that some of our members who have relocated to the old legislative chamber can return to their desks in the office by the Ring Road.
The suspended PDP lawmakers have said they were not in contempt of any court order since their appeal was before the Supreme Court.
Ebea, who spoke at a briefing yesterday, said they have respect for the rule of law and that they have appealed against the ruling of the Court of Appeal.
He said they could not be in contempt when they have appealed against the ruling.
“We have filed an appeal at the Supreme Court for stay of execution for interim order. Until a judicial pronouncement is made by the court one cannot be said to be in disobedience to any interim order.”
… Lawmakers in free for all
Hell was let loose on Tuesday at the Edo State House of Assembly as police fired tear gas into the hallowed chamber where the lawmakers were engaged in a free for all.
Some market women selling at nearby Oba Market fainted after inhaling tear gas.
The fight started when Speaker Uyi Igbe stormed the assembly with 13 lawmakers to commence sitting and to also chase away nine lawmakers who broke into the hallowed chamber.
Trouble started on Monday when four lawmakers – Friday Ogierhiakhi, Patrick Osayimwen, Jude Ise-Idehen and Deputy Speaker, Festus Ebea were suspended for alleged misconduct.
Apparently aware of an impending crisis, a combined team of policemen, the Directorate of Security Services and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were mobilised to the assembly.
There were over 20 police hilux vans including an Armoured Personnel Carrier and police dogs at the assembly premises.
At about 9:30m, the nine Peoples Democratic Party lawmakers drove into the assembly in an unmarked bus and were allowed in after which the gate was closed.
Accompanied by some security agents, the PDP lawmakers broke into the chamber and sat for less than five minutes without a mace presided over by the suspended Deputy Speaker.
Several attempts to get assembly staff to attend the sitting were rebuffed and the Sergeant at Arms, Ogirri Roberts, fled into hiding.
Hon. Kingsley Ehigiamusoe representing Igueben moved the motion for the suspension of Speaker Igbe, Majority Leader, Philip Shaibu and six others for alleged abdication of duty
Those present at sitting are – Patrick Iluobe, Abdulrasaq Momoh, Patrick Osayimwen, Emmanuel Okoduwa, Monday Ehighalua, Friday Ogieriakhi and Jude Ise-Idehen.
The Deputy Speaker was named the new speaker of the assembly.
As they were about to hurriedly leave the chamber, Speaker Igbe stormed in with the lawmakers and his security details and a free for all ensued.
Tear gas canisters were fired to disperse the speaker’s supporters including the lawmakers.
The Deputy Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Mr. Festus Ebea and three other lawmakers were on Monday suspended indefinitely for alleged misconduct.
Others suspended are – Hon. Friday Ogieriakhi representing Orhionmwon South, Jude Ise-Idehen representing Ikpoba-Okha and Patrick Osayimwen representing Oredo East.
Apart from the Deputy Speaker, other lawmakers have earlier defected to the Peoples Democratic Party.
Abdulrasaq Momoh of Estako West 11 who also defected to the PDP was however spared the suspension hammer.
Drama ensued at the hallowed chamber after the suspension when the estranged lawmakers stormed plenary.
The suspended Deputy Speaker was heard telling Speaker Uyi Igbe that “You have suspended me, you have suspended me. You have created more problems for yourself.”
A total of 11 members were present at the sitting where the lawmakers were suspended under section 38 rules three of the House Rules.
Hon. Paul Ohonbamu, who moved the motion for the suspension, said actions of the affected lawmakers constituted misconduct.
The motion was seconded by Majority Leader, Hon. Philip Shaibu.
Addressing journalists after the sitting, the Chairman, House Committee on Youth Sports and Information, Hon Kabiru Adjoto, clarified that their action was not because the lawmakers defected to the PDP.
Adjoto said the suspended lawmakers had approached other lawmakers, offering them huge sums to defect to the PDP.
He accused the deputy speaker of forming a parallel leadership in the House aimed at impeaching the speaker and Governor Adams Oshiomhole.