The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Festus Ebea

  • Will INEC conduct by-election in Edo?

    Will INEC conduct by-election in Edo?

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is in a fix  in Edo State. The commission has received two letters from the House of Assembly. The first letter is from 15 All Progressive Congress  (APC) members led by Speaker Uyi Igbe. The second letter is from nine Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members led by impeached Deputy Speaker Festus Ebea.

    In the lettwer, INEC was informed about vacant seats in the House and  the need to conduct by-elections within 90 days. The seat of Abdulrazaq Momoh (Estako West 1) was declared vacant by the Speaker, following his  defection to the PDP without following the due process.  In reaction, the PDP declared the seat of Victor Edoror (Esan Central) vacant for defecting to the APC

    Crisis hit the House on June 9 after four lawmakers-Jude Ise-Idehen (Ikpoba-Okha), Friday Ogierhiakhi (Orhionmwon South), Festus Ebea (Esan Southeast), and Patrick Osayimwen (Oredo East) were suspended for alleged gross misconduct and attempt to woo other lawmakers to the PDP.

    The suspended lawmakers were also accused of offering APC lawmakers N50m to join the APC. Before the suspension, four lawmakers of the APC including Ise-Idehen, Patrick, Friday and Momoh had defected to the PDP. With the defection, the PDP lawmakers rose to eight against 16 APC lawmakers before the impeached Deputy Speaker pitched tent with the PDP.

    What the PDP needed was to woo four more lawmakers to effect leadership change in the House, which would have led to the impeachment of Governor Adams Oshiomhole and his deputy, Pius Odubu. Ebea was said to have been penciled down for the position of acting governor, if the plan had succeeded.

    For about four weeks, Benin-City was enveloped in anxiety as lawmakers battled for the control of the House. The police took over the premises and put a blockade on roads leading to the city centre where the Assembly complex is located. It was a daily exchange of blows for the PDP and the APC lawmakers. Legislative businesses were put on hold.

    The crisis persisted because the lawmakers insisted on attending plenary sesions,  despite a court order restraining them from gaining access to the  complex. Several meetings supervised by the Commissioner of Police, Foluso Adebanjo, failed to resolve the crisis as the APC lawmakers said they would be disobeying court orders by allowing their suspended colleagues to attend plenary.

    On July 7, Speaker Igbe moved the plenary session to the old legislative chamber inside the Edo Government House, citing the on-going renovation of the complex. PDP lawmakers kicked against the relocation of the plenary session and vowed not to attend the sitting. Legislative staff were asked to resume work at another location.

    The roof of the hallowed chamber was removed. Armoured doors and iron bars were used to seal the chamber and offices of the suspended lawmakers.

    PDP lawmakers however, broke the armoured doors and resumed plenary session inside the unkempt hallowed chamber. They recruited two former  workers-Omoregbe Osagie and Okoh Godwin-to assist them. Omoregbe and Okoh served as Sergeant at Arms and Clerk for the PDP lawmakers.

    Victor Edoror was named the new Deputy Speaker by APC lawmakers while PDP lawmakers also replaced principal officers. The latest action of the divided House was the sacking of two lawmakers. Speaker Igbe declared the seat of Momoh vacant while PDP lawmakers declared the seat of the new Deputy Speaker vacant.

    Whose resolution will INEC obey? The 15 APC lawmakers or nine PDP lawmakers?

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Baritor Kpagih, confirmed that the commission has received two letters from both camps informing it about the vacant seats. But, he said  the commission was yet to take a decision on the matter.

    Baritor  said a by-election was not important to the commission than the distribution of Permanent Voters Cards.

    He said the INEC does not take decision on a by-election at the state level , adding that its activities are guided by law.

    “We have received two letters, but what is important to us is the distribution of permanent voters cards and thereafter, we register those that are yet to register.

    “Regarding the by-election, the House of Assembly has notified us. As far as we are concerned, we don’t take decisions on such matters here at the state level. We have communicated to the INEC office, Abuja and, once a decision is taken, we will act on it.”

     

     

  • Edo suspended deputy speaker impeached

    The suspended Deputy Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Festus Ebea, has been impeached.

    He was impeached for alleged misconduct and misdemeanor.

    Ebea and three others -Friday Ogieriakhi (Orhionmwon South) Jude Ise-Idehen (Ikpoba-Okha) and Patrick Osayimwen(Oredo East) were suspended last month for alleged misconduct.

    The sitting where the impeachment took place was held at an old chamber located inside the Edo State Government House.

    Security was beefed up around the Edo State House of Assembly and the police had earlier said it would not allow any group among the warring lawmakers to enter the chamber for legislative business.

    Lawmakers of the Peoples Democratic Party that resumed plenary on Monday were not allowed entry.

    They waited for five hours and adjourned plenary till Monday.

    Workers of the assembly were locked outside waiting for the APC lawmakers to resume duty when news filtered in that the sitting had been relocated to the old chamber.

    Majority Leader, Philip Shaibu, under matters of urgent public importance moved a motion that the old chamber be used for plenary pending when renovation works at the assembly complex was complete.

    He said, “This is the old chamber. It was from here the legislative business was moved to the new place. We have lot of committee reports to consider.”

    “I moved that we sit in this old chamber until the new chamber is refurbished and ready to use.”

    Speaker Uyi Igbe said the chamber could not be used for plenary because the former Deputy Speaker and other suspended members destroyed the doors when they forcibly gained entrance into the chamber.

    He said the chamber would be ready for use within three to four weeks.

  • PDP’s bid to take over Edo House foiled

    PDP’s bid to take over Edo House foiled

    •They want to assassinate us, say APC lawmakers  

    •Ebea: I’m the new Speaker  

    •Nine arrested •’Arrest the renegades’  

    THERE was a free-for-all at the Edo State House of Assembly yesterday when nine members broke into the chambers.

    Among the nine were four suspended members. All the lawmakers except the suspended Deputy Speaker Festus Ebea are members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    It was gathered that at 9:30am, the  lawmakers drove into the Assembly in an unmarked bus and were allowed in  following which the gate was closed.

    Accompanied by some security agents, the lawmakers sat for less than five minutes without a mace. Their session was presided over by Ebea.

    Attempts to get the assembly staff to attend the sitting were rebuffed; the Sergeant-at-Arms, Ogirri Roberts, fled into hiding.

    Hon Kingsley Ehigiamusoe (Igueben) moved the motion for the suspension of the Speaker, Uyi  Igbe , Majority Leader Philip Shaibu and six others for alleged abdication of duty.

    Those present were Patrick Iluobe, Abdulrasaq Momoh, Patrick Osayimwen, Emmanuel Okoduwa, Monday Ehighalua, Friday Ogieriakhi and Jude Ise-Idehen.

    The suspended deputy speaker was named the new speaker.

    As they were about to leave the chamber, Speaker Igbe arrived with other lawmakers and his security details and a free-for-all ensued.

    Apparently aware of an impending crisis, a combined team of policemen, the Department of State Security and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were mobilised to the Assembly.

    There were over 20 police vehicles, including an Armoured Personnel Carrier, and police dogs on the premises.

    Tear gas canisters were fired to disperse the lawmakers.

    Security details were divided as some followed the renegade lawmakers; others ensured that the Speaker gained access into the chamber.

    Attempts by the nine lawmakers to return into the chamber were prevented by some policemen at the gate. They later left.

    Some market women at the nearby Oba Market fainted after inhaling tear gas fumes.

    Igbe presided over a sitting attended by 13 lawmakers.

    Those who spoke during a matter under urgent public importance said they were tear-gassed as they were entering the assembly complex.

    Elisabeth Ativie said the security agents’ action portends a bad omen for the Federal Government.  She said those suspended remained suspended.

    Paul Ohonbamu said what played out was carefully planned and externally packaged, stressing that the lawmakers aggravated their offences.

    Folly Ogedengbe described the lawmakers’ action as an exercise in futility.

    A resolution calling on President Goodluck Jonathan to call the lawmakers to order and provide security for the Assembly was passed.

    At a briefing, Chairman, House Committee on Information, Youths and Sports Kabiru Adjoto said the attack on the lawmakers confirmed a plot to assassinate some All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers.

    He named those marked out for assassination to include the Speaker, Majority Leader and two others.

    Adjoto said the PDP planned to frame APC Youth Leader, Osakpamwan Eriyo and Chairman of Akugbe Ventures, Tony Kabaka.

    He said: “It was God who saved us this morning. It was their aim to destabilise Edo State. It is the duty of the President to protect lives and properties.”

    “Edo State House of Assembly is under attack by the PDP and their collaborators in Abuja. They came in to tear gas our members. This is a follow up to what happened yesterday where we suspended those who were performing duties that are no longer honourable.”

    “They came to us with evil carrots but we refused. The whole place was filled with tear gas. We have over 100 policemen round the gate but they still came in. Edo State will not be mortgaged. We will not allow Edo State to be taken backwards. A goat knows there is a poisonous leaf that is not edible.

    “They know that they cannot defeat Oshiomhole but want to use us to impeach him. We asked them to test their strength in next year’s election. We will not impeach Oshiomhole. Their plan to kill started this morning. You don’t come to the chamber with thugs or arms.

    “We have resolved to continue to support Oshiomhole. Edo is not Rivers State. We are enlightened people and ready to defend democracy. Edo is not other states that Abuja can destabilise.

    “Oshiomhole will finish his tenure. We will continue to perform our duty and pass laws that will benefit the state. The problem in the Northeast is enough for President Jonathan to contend with. PDP should not create another problem for Jonathan in Edo State.”

    Shaibu showed reporters bullet holes on the main gate leading to the legislators’ quarters on Ihama Road, GRA, Benin City, which he said came from shots fired by unidentified persons.

    He said his colleagues and himself had been receiving threatening phone calls and text messages.

    The Majority Leader said it was not possible for the minority to upturn the decision of the majority lawmakers.

    The nine lawmakers denied collecting money to defect.

    Ebea at a briefing said eight lawmakers were suspended because of “consistent unbecoming behaviour”, which he said brought the integrity of the House into disrepute.

    He said the consistent adjourning of sitting was abdication of duty by the leadership of the House.

    His words: “As from today under my leadership, the House has decided to play the role 100 percent placed on me by Edo people. We are calling on the Comrade Governor to stop his divisive tendencies and ensure that Edo State is made for all to cohabit.

    “He is the governor of the state and not a party. A former senator, councillor defected and no hell was let loose. They are killing me for intention.

    “They are mind readers thinking I want to dump the APC. We will do our best to make sure checks and balances and pure separation of powers are adhered to in the state.”

    Ebea denied allegations of assassination plot and swore that he did not collect money from the PDP.

    Some members of the National Assembly described the lawmakers’ action as criminal.

    Senator Obende Domingo, Samson Osagie and Pally Iriase said the lawmakers should have sought legal redress.

    They said: “If they know, they are not guilty of suspension, the right thing for them is to go to court, instead of taking the law into their hands.

    “On December 20, 1999,  Iriase, who was the Deputy Speaker, was suspended. It did not degenerate into debauchery, instead the issues were resolved politically.

    “For them to break into the house is criminal. That is illegal entry. They can be arrested and prosecuted for that.”

    Police Commissioner Foluso Adebanjo said nine persons have been arrested for their roles in the fracas.

    APC spokesman Godwin Erhahon said the incident demonstrated the lawlessness of PDP across the country. In a statement yesterday, he said:  “We have witnessed this in Rivers; we have witnessed it in the Governors’ Forum and it continues here in the Edo Assembly.

    “The APC wishes to assure all concerned that the suspension of four of the nine lawmakers yesterday stands. And their involvement in the activities of the House yesterday is a ruse and therefore of no effect.

    “But, however, we wish to warn President Jonathan not to dare Edo State as he dared Rivers State. That muffling the opposition is an evidence of PDP’s admission of failure, therefore we are not perturbed even as we see the hands of the Presidency in the tacit support given the PDP.”

     

     

  • Supporters protest lawmakers’ suspension

    Supporters protest lawmakers’ suspension

    Several groups marched on the streets of Benin City, the Edo State capital, yesterday as the battle for the control of Edo State House of Assembly raged on.

    Some of the groups, comprising mainly youths, were pro-Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and pro-All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The pro-PDP group called for the recall of the four lawmakers suspended on Monday.

    Deputy Speaker Festus Ebea, Friday Ogieriakhi, Patrick Osayimwen and Jude Ise-Idehen were suspended for alleged misconduct.

    Leaders of the pro-PDP protesters Rotimi Adams and Ojo Godwin said they were on the streets to protest injustice.

    They carried placards with inscriptions, such as “Uyi Igbe stop this action”; “Lawmakers are not Lawbreakers”; “Mr. Speaker says no to Governor’s evil plan” “Edo State Youths are against the action of Uyi Igbe”; “Mr. Speaker do your work well”.

    Adams said the constitution allows for freedom of association and movement from one party to another.

    He said they would continue to protest, if the lawmakers were not recalled.

    The pro-APC protesters stormed the Assembly, alleging that PDP wants to make the state ungovernable.

    They accused the PDP of attempting to replicate what happened in Rivers State.

    Derrick Uhunmwagho, who spoke on their behalf, urged Edo people not to be afraid.

    He said: “Benin City is known for peaceful co-existence. APC youths will not allow anybody to foment trouble in the state. We will defend that which belongs to us.”

    A protester, Shola Clement, said they had seen the good work of Governor Adams Oshiomhole and as such would not allow the state to be returned to what he called “dark days”.

    His words: “We are aware of the fact that some people are out to disrupt the peace of Edo. We will stand against anybody who wants to bring trouble to this state.”

  • Edo Deputy Speaker, three others suspended

    Edo Deputy Speaker, three others suspended

    •Youths call for lawmakers’ removal

    •‘I’m unshaken’

    Edo State House of Assembly Deputy Speaker Festus Ebea and three other lawmakers were yesterday suspended indefinitely for alleged misconduct.

    The others are Friday Ogieriakhi (Orhionmwon South), Jude Ise-Idehen (Ikpoba-Okh) and Patrick Osayimwen (Oredo East).

    They were suspended under Section 38 (3) of the House Rules.

    Apart from the Deputy Speaker, the other lawmakers have defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Abdulrasaq Momoh (Estako West 11), who also moved to the PDP, was spared the suspension hammer.

    There was a drama after the suspension when three of the suspended lawmakers stormed the Assembly.

    Ebea was heard telling Speaker Uyi Igbe that “You have suspended me, you have suspended me. You have created more problems for yourself.”

    Eleven members were present at the sitting.

    Paul Ohonbamu, who moved the motion for the suspension, said the lawmakers’ actions constituted misconduct.

    The motion was seconded by Majority Leader Philip Shaibu.

    Addressing reporters after the sitting, Chairman, Committee on Youth, Sports and Information, Kabiru Adjoto said their suspension was not because the lawmakers joined the PDP.

    Adjoto said the suspended lawmakers had allegedly approached other lawmakers to join the PDP.

    He accused the deputy speaker of forming a parallel leadership aimed at removing Igbe and Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

    His words: “The Deputy Speaker has become so arrogant and dictatorial that he no longer sees the party and the Speaker as one.

    “He has created parallel leadership and that leadership is aimed at destabilising the House.

    “These suspended members have constituted themselves into marketers that have been given target to meet.

    “They approached us to join the PDP. They disturb us daily. What they do is to dangle carrot before us and that is not what we were elected to do here. Their activities constitute misconduct.

    “We decided to suspend them until they deem it fit to do what is right.

    “It is the tradition and rule that if any member takes the House to court, that member is to be suspended, until the matter is resolved by the court.”

    Thousands of youths, led by Tony Kabaka Adun, stormed the Assembly calling for the sacking of the defecting lawmakers.

    Adun said they could not watch the lawmakers trade off the mandate and votes they protected under the sun.

    He said: “The people we trusted with our votes have sold our mandate.

    “We want to know who they are now representing. We suffered in the sun to protect their votes. It is better they resign and vacate their offices.”

    Also, thugs invaded the Assembly and tried to prevent the suspended lawmakers from leaving in their official cars.

    Ebea described his suspension as an action “in error”.

    He said he remained unshaken.

    The suspended deputy speaker said he had not committed any offence to warrant being suspended.

    His words: “Edo people are watching and they know what the truth is.

    “ I am a lawmaker and a bona fide All Progressives Congress (APC) member.

    “I have not defected and even for my colleagues who defected and are being punished, what offence have they committed.”

    The House will set up a committee to investigate the allegations against the four suspended lawmakers.

    Adjoto said the suspended lawmakers would be made to vacate their lodges at the legislative quarters.

  • Edo Deputy Speaker, three others suspended

    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.