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Tag: Edo state House of Assembly

  • Assembly directs EDSIEC to conduct by-election

    Assembly directs EDSIEC to conduct by-election

    Edo State House of Assembly has directed the State Independent National Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) to conduct by-election to fill vacant councillorship seats across the 18 local governments.

    The seats were said to have become vacant after the councillors reportedly abandoned their duties since January.

    The actions of the councillors were said to have contravened Section 12(1) of the 2000 Local Government Law.

    The Assembly gave the directive in a resolution after consideration of a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Jonathan Ibhamahu and seconded by  Addeh Isibor.

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    Ibhamahu had noted that the legislative arm of government remained fundamental in local government administration.

    He said: “But in Edo, we are having a situation where councillors elected by their people abandoned their duty posts for reasons best known to them. The essence of democracy is no longer felt in these wards.

    “Section 12(1) and Section 16 of the Local Government Law 2000 states that a councillor’s seat can only be declared vacant when he or she fails to meet 1/3 of the meetings held in the council in the calendar year.

    “The councillors have been away from January to date, and EDSIEC must immediately conduct by-election into the wards.’’

    After deliberation on the motion, the lawmakers directed EDSIEC to conduct by-election into the wards within three weeks.

  • Edo Assembly receives commissioner, EDSIEC nominees for confirmation

    Edo Assembly receives commissioner, EDSIEC nominees for confirmation

    Edo State House of Assembly yesterday received a list of commissioner-nominees from Governor Monday Okpebholo for screening and confirmation.

    The list is contained in a letter titled: ‘Request for the confirmation of commissioner-nominees’, dated January 7, 2025.

    The governor urged the assembly to confirm Paul Ohonbamu, Washington Osifo, Paddy Iyamu, Andrew Ijegbai, Henry Oladisi Idahomen and Lucky Eseigbe as commissioners.

    Speaker Blessing Agbabaku, during an emergency plenary yesterday in Benin, referred the governor’s letter to the House Standing Committee on Rules and Business, with a mandate to submit its report in one week.

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    Similarly, another letter from the governor, dated December 19, 2024, also requested the lawmakers’ confirmation of members of Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC).

    The EDSIEC nominees include, Jonathan Aifuobhokhan, Anthony Aigbokhomhan, Suleiman Ikhuoria, Umoru Frank, Imafidon Osarodion, Asein Ojo Victor and Ighomo Egharevba Thomas.

    The Speaker directed the House Standing Committee on Rules and Business to screen the EDSIEC nominees and submit its report within one week for further legislative action.

  • Reps to investigate Edo House of Assembly crisis

    The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the crisis in the Edo State House of Assembly.

    The ad hoc committee has one week to report back to the House.

    The resolution follows a motion of urgent national importance, titled: “Urgent Need for intervention in the Edo State House of Assembly Crisis”, sponsored by three members – Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, Peter Akpatason and Johnson Oghuma.

    Ihonvbere berated “the clandestine and nocturnal inauguration of the seventh Edo State House of Assembly on June 17, wherein nine of the 24 members-elect were purportedly sworn in without the knowledge of the other 15 members”.

    He said: “At the so-called nocturnal inauguration, some of the members were improperly dressed. The lawmakers complained about the illegality against the growing security challenges in Edo State.

    “No normal legislative business can take place unless the proper procedure for inaugurating the lawmakers is done as envisaged and guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal of Nigeria, and security provided.”

    Read Also: Edo Speaker to Reps: Don’t be dragged into illegality

    The motion was passed after a long deliberation and voting.

    Thereafter, the Speaker constituted a fact-finding committee headed by Abdulrasak Namdas for the assignment.

    But Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Frank Okiye, has called on the House of Representatives not to be used for personal interests.

    According to Okiye, the Edo House of Assembly was duly inaugurated on June 17, and the business of law-making has been going on without any hindrances.

    He said: “May I state that aside the fact that the Assembly complied with the Constitution in the inauguration of memebrs, there also exists a court order that ational Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police in Edo State, APC Publicity Secretary Lanre Issa-Onilu, all defendants, their servants and agents, not to interfere, disrupt or obstruct the constitutional duties of members of the Edo House of Assembly.

    “We welcome the decision of the House of Representatives to investigate issues surrounding the inauguration of the Edo State House of Assembly. We are confident it would not find anything contrary to the provisions of the constitution. We humbly advise the lawmakers to be guided and not get involved in petty politics to fan the ego of an aspiring Godfather.”

  • Court bars APC, police from interfering in Edo Assembly matters

    National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and the Inspector General Police (IG), Adamu Mohammed, have been barred from harassing or interfering in the legislative duties of the Edo State House of Assembly.

    Justice M. Umar gave the order following an motion ex-parte by Clerk Yayaha Audu Omogbai and the House of Assembly.

    Defendants in the June 28 suit are National Working Committee of the APC, IG, Edo State Commissioner of Police and National Spokesman of the APC Lanre Issa-Onilu.

    Justice Umar ordered the defendants, their servants and agents, not to interfere, disrupt or obstruct the constitutional duties of members of the Assembly.

    He also barred the defendants from further publishing in any newspaper or other media, any inciting publications concerning the inauguration of the seventh Assembly, as well as the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker which held on June 17.

    The court document reads: “An interim order of injunction is hereby granted restraining the defendants by themselves, their servants, agents, officers or privies from interfering with, obstructing or harassing, in any manner whatsoever, the plaintiffs in the performance of their constitutional duties as the Legislative Arm of the Edo State Government pending the hearing and determination of the motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction.

    Read Also: Obaseki sacks eight commissioners

    “That interim order of injunction is also granted restraining the defendants by themselves, their servants, agents, officers or privies from further committing any act aimed at disparaging the integrity of the legislative arm of the Edo State government and/or destabilising the peace, order and good governance of Edo State in general, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction.”

    The case was adjourned till October 9.

    Only 12 of the 24 lawmakers in the Assembly have been sworn in. The 12 others, believed to have the backing of Oshiomhole, have since June 20 fled to Abuja over alleged threats to their life.

    The lawmaker-elect representing Akoko-Edo II, Emmanuel Agbaje, has been sworn in. Agbaje was sworn-in yesterday when the Assembly convened about 4.24pm by Speaker Frank Okiye who administered the oath of office.

    Okiye explained that the House had to reconvene because of the compulsory retirement of a deputy Clerk of the House which would only become effective with confirmation from the House.

    Agbaje said he presented himself for swearing in based on the position of his constituents and leaders of the APC.

  • Ex-Edo Speaker attacks Oshiomhole

    Immediate past Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly Kabiru Adjoto has vowed to open a can of worms on National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Adams Oshiomhole.

    Adjoto was sacked by the Supreme Court two weeks after he was sworn in as a member of the House of Representatives. He was replaced by Peter Akpatason, who has the backing of Oshiomhole.

    At a homecoming reception at Igarra, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, Adjoto said Oshiomhole, who was an apostle of ‘One Man One Vote’, and fought ‘Godfatherism’, has now become an ‘Emperor’ who wants to lord over everybody and everything.

    The former speaker said the APC chairman had succeeded in negatively changing the destiny of many people since becoming the National Chairman. He vowed to speak on Oshiomhole’s ‘many atrocities’ when the time is right.

    He said: “Oshiomhole wants to be everywhere at the same time. Everything he preached against, and we supported him to fight against, is what he is now doing. When Oshiomhole introduced one man one vote, we believed in him and supported him. We did same when he fougth ‘godfatherism’, insulting Chief Tony Anenih and Chief Gabriel Igbinedion.

    Read Also: Adams Oshiomole: Victim of reactionary forces

    “We were with him, and even helped him to remove the leadership of State Assembly that was against his government then. Whatever success you can attribute to him today is because of the support we gave him.

    “I was under intense pressure to give Governor Godwin Obaseki problem when I was speaker, but I resisted because it is the people who will suffer when it happens. We will resist Oshiomhole’s antics. We will support Obaseki to make him succeed. He is doing wonderfully well and has surpassed the previous administration.

    “God will catch them if they say Obaseki will not come for second term. Let them try it, that time, the whole world will know the truth about the Mobutu Seseseko Mansion and many other things.”

    But Akpatason described Adjoto’s comments as the cry of a frustrated man, who lost at the Supreme Court.

    Akpatason challenged Adjoto to tell Akoko-Edo people the development he brought to the area as Speaker.

    He said: “Adjoto should be ashamed of himself for trying to deride Oshiomhole who made him all he is today in politics. What will he say his new found friend Obaseki has done for him, rather than use willing tools like Adjoto to insult our leader Oshiomhole. They are a bunch of ingrates and God will not forgive them.

    “The masses have always known and identified with the dispositions of Comrade and what he stands for. The APC National Chairman has always been recognized for his unassailable democratic ethos, his championing of political inclusiveness. So whether Adjoto and his cohorts like it or not, they cannot change history.”

    Pioneer of One Man One Vote; One Woman One Vote, his headlong battle against godfatherism, and several other causes that promote the Rule of Law. So whether Adjoto and his cohorts like it or not, they cannot change history.”

  • Lawmakers-elect face recall

    About 12 lawmakers-elect to the Edo State House of Assembly may soon face recall if they failed to complete documentation and report at the Assembly for inauguration, it was learnt at the weekend.

    Frank Okiye and Yekini Idiaye were elected as Speaker and Deputy Speaker after the inauguration of nine members of the 24-member Assembly last week.

    Some of the lawmakers-elect have, however, pledged loyalty to the leadership of the All Progressives Congress and offered to present themselves to be sworn-in as a member of the Assembly.

    Those threatened with recall are: Chris Okaeben (Oredo West), Crosby Eribo (Egor) Washington Osifo (Uhunmwode) Ugiagbe Dumez (Ovia North East 1) Vincent Uwadiae ( Ovia North East 11) Sunday Aghedo (Ovia South West) Victor Edoror (Esan Central) Emmanuel Agbaje (Akoko-Edo 11) Eric Okaka (Owan East) Micheal Ohio-Ezo (Owan West) Oshoma Ahmed (Estako Central) Kingsley Ugabi (Estako East).

    Leaders of the ruling party in Uhunmwode Local Government Area issued an ultimatum last week to Washington Osifo to present himself for inauguration or risked being recalled.

    The leaders at a rally in Ehor, headquarters of Uhunmwode Local Government Area said Washington’s absence at the Assembly meant the constituency has no representation.

    Read Also: Edo APC lawmakers-elect reject party’s nomination

    They said they elected Washington to represent them to ensure they get dividends of democracy and not to fight the party.

    Oredo APC leaders at their meeting, presided over by its Chairman, Mr. Goodwill Alabi, asked Okaeben to apologise to the governor Godwin Obaseki, or risk being recalled as their representative at the Assembly.

    The meeting was attended by Jenkins Osunde; former member, EDHA, Osaigbovo Iyoha; former National Vice Chairman, SouthSouth, defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Rev. Michael Egharevba; immediate past Edo APC Women leader, Aisosa Amadasun, Edo State APC Youth Leader, Valentine Asuen, among others.

    Rev. Egharevba, who spoke for the leaders, said Okaeben has 48 hours to apologise to the governor, otherwise the APC in Oredo will have no other option than to explore the necessary political and legal instruments to commence his recall.

    He noted: “We want to make a categorical statement. Chris Okagben, a ranking member-elect for the second term in Oredo Local Government Arae on the platform of the APC, has gone rogue, showing no respect to the party and the constituency he represents.

    “With all what he said, including the accusations made against the governor and the party members, we want to disassociate ourselves from him and condemn his actions. We didn’t send him on such an errand and do not support his actions. We therefore give him 48 hours to apologise to the governor in two national dailies.

    Leaders of APC in Ovia are to meet to call its three lawmakers, Ugiagbe Dumez (Ovia North East I); Vincent Uwadiae (Ovia North East II) and Sunday Aghedo (Ovia South West) to order or face recall.

    Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Monday Osaigbovo, who hails from Ovia, said it was wrong for the lawmakers to disregard directives of the party.

    Osagboivo said that only one person could lead at a time. Sunday Ojiezele (Esan South East) and Emmanuel Okoduwa (Esan North East II) pledged loyalty to the ruling party.

    Besides, Nosa Okunbor (Orhionmwon East), who claimed he was abducted and forced to be part of the contentious inauguration, has recanted

    He was sighted with Speaker Okiye inspecting the legislators’ quarters.

  • Oshiomhole should intervene in Edo APC crisis, says ex-aide

    All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has been urged to intervene in the crisis rocking the Edo State House of Assembly and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    His former political adviser, Charles Idahosa, belives  Oshiomhole’s silence is responsible for the crisis rocking the seventh Assembly.

    There have been calls for Governor Godwin Obaseki not to have a second term ticket, especially by the Edo Peoples Movement, which claims to be loyal to Oshiomhole.

    Idahosa, who addressed reporters yesterday, said it was tragi-comical for those who brought Obaseki to power to be unhappy with him while the voters are praising the governor.

    The former aide said it was worrisome that Oshiomhole refused to deny empowering anybody or group against Obaseki.

    According to him, Oshiomhole’s silence means he supports the opposition against Obaseki.

    He said: “We are not comfortable with what is happening in Edo State today; the political division, the confusion. A situation where we should be happy as a party, but it is now like a tragi-comedy. A situation where we have a governor that the people are happy with but his problem is with the party leadership.

    “Over two years ago, I was the first person to react to Obaseki’s relationship with the party leadership. I called leaders who are today fighting Obaseki but nobody saw what I was talking about. They turned around to present a situation that I was fighting the governor. Because of personal interest, they have turned around to fight because they want federal appointment; some want to take over from Obaseki. These people were seen to have no value for eight years.

    Read Also: Adams Oshiomole: Victim of reactionary forces

    “I find it strange that Obaseki on arrival from his vacation said he had no problem with the APC National Chairman. I have waited since for a reaction from Oshiomhole, but none is coming. Why has Oshiomhole refused to say he did not send anybody to gang up against the government? Silence means consent.

    “I make bold to say that Oshiomhole is responsible for the problem of APC in Edo State by his silence. Many of these boys are his boys.

    “Truth be told, it would not have got to this stage if Oshiomhole had spoken. We must look at the fact before us and say the truth. At what point did Obaseki insult Oshiomhole? Oshiomhole is no longer governor. Let the governor there now do his work. The public is hailing Obaseki but the people that brought him to power are angry. We must be very careful so that what happened in other states do not happen here.”

    But convener of EPM Henry Idahagbon described Idahosa as a “political jobber frolicking with Obaseki to fight Oshiomhole”.

    He said: “Oshiomhole is too big for these people, and it is sad that each time Idahosa wants to seek relevance, he sang Oshiomhole’s name so his benefactor will see he is working.

    “The crisis in Edo is between Obaseki and the leaders of APC and not Oshiomhole. Many of us are well known for the efforts we made to bring on board this governor. If they like, let them call Oshiomhole’s name to high heavens, it will not stop our genuine agitation.

    “And we will continue until we kick Obaseki out of the Government House. Idahosa is free to continue his sychophancy; that is his stock in trade. We will not be surprised to see him on the other side tomorrow.”

  • Obaseki comnended for facilitating release of APC EDHA candidate

    The Chairman, Owan West Local Government Council, Hon. Frank Ilaboya, has commended the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration for ensuring the safe release of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, for Edo State House of Assembly Michael Ohio-Ezomo.

    Michael Ohio-Ezomo, who is vying to represent Owan West State Constituency at the Edo State House of Assembly, was kidnapped by unknown gunmen in the early hours of January 24, 2019 at his Eme-Ora residence. He regained freedom on Saturday, March 2, 2019.

    In a statement made available to journalists by Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman, Owan West LGA, Mr. Hassan Otinua, the council boss said, “On behalf of the good people of Owan West Local Government Area, I give glory to Almighty God for his safe return. 37 days in captivity is not a joke, but our God is ever faithful.

    “I also want to thank the state government, especially Governor Godwin Obaseki and his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, for playing a vital role in his release. The people of Owan West appreciate your role and remain very grateful.”

    The council chairman also expressed appreciation to the people for their prayers, support and for standing by the family during their trying times, describing the release of Ohio-Ezomo as a soothing relief.

    “We cannot thank our good people enough for standing by the immediate family and Council throughout his captivity. God bless you all,” he added.

    Ilaboya urged the people come out en masse to support Ohio-Ezomo, in the March 9, House of Assembly election holding in the state, noting, “The only way to make our celebration complete is to ensure total victory for Ohio-Ezomo, come Saturday, March 9, in the House of Assembly election. Our watchword from now on is: Operation Total Victory for Ohio-Ezomo

  • Obaseki commends EDHA for efficient resource use

    The Edo State Governor, Mr.  Godwin Obaseki, has commended the Edo State House of Assembly for the judicious use of its resources, which resulted in the facelift of the Anthony Enahoro Assembly Complex.

    The governor, who gave the commendation during an inspection visit to the Assembly complex in Benin City, the Edo State capital, said it was noteworthy that the renovation work was carried out through prudent resource management as no special fund was set aside for the exercise.

    Obaseki said, “I am happy with what I see here today. I am excited because special allocation or fund was not given for this renovation, but you did this from your regular allocation. I am pleased as the Assembly has properly utilised its fund. It shows you are prudent in spending.”

    He said politics is about public service and not self-interest, and expressed delight that the assembly complex is wearing a new look.

    Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Kabiru Adjoto, who welcomed the governor and his entourage, acknowledged the massive infrastructural development in the state which he said has been extended to the parliament.

    He praised the governor for the beautiful and conducive environment in the assembly complex, as members and staff of the Assembly now spend more time in the office, in discharging their duties which has increased productivity.

    Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Roland Asoro, expressed appreciation to the governor for the visit, assuring that members of the legislative arm will key into the governor’s developmental programmes to transform Edo State.

     

  • Breaking: Shooting in Edo House of Assembly

    There is heavy shooting and fighting at the Edo State House of Assembly over move to remove the Speaker, Hon Kabiru Adjoto.

    Several thugs have invaded the assembly and chased some lawmakers away.

    Two lawmakers of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, M.D Igbas and Hon Iluobe were seen fleeing with their security personnel.

    Three persons have been injured in the fracas.

     

    Details Later…