… I remain Speaker –Edoror 

From Tony Osauzo, Benin

THE 11-months-speakership of Victor Edoror on the Edo State House of Assembly ended yesterday, following his impeachment along with his deputy, Bright Osayande.

Edoror did not, however, go down without putting up a fight, as suspected thugs allegedly loyal to him invaded the Assembly chamber and shot sporadically. Six persons were injured in the melee that ensued.

Law enforcement personnel led by the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Ezike, had a hectic time securing the Assembly. They had to fire canisters of teargas to disperse the suspected thugs.

Trouble was said to have started when Folly Ogedegbe, the Majority Leader moved the motion for impeachment of the speaker and the deputy.

The motion which was seconded by Patrick Iluobe representing Esan North East 1 read in parts: “We the under-listed and under-signed honourable members representing the various constituencies in the Edo State House of Assembly have on this day, 3rd of May 2016, resolved to impeach our speaker, Victor Edoror Tiger and the deputy speaker, for acts of gross misconduct.”

Consequently, a Speaker ex-tempo, Patrick Iluobe, was appointed to preside over the business of the day where the new speaker, Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie, representing Uhumwode was appointed and Dr. Justin Okonoboh representing Igueben emerged as deputy speaker.

Immediately the new speaker was sworn in, the impeached speaker and his deputy walked into the chamber in company of suspected thugs shooting sporadically to scare people out of the chambers. In the melee that ensued many people sustained injuries.

Addressing journalists immediately after the fracas, the new speaker, said members could no longer tolerate him.

Sixteen members signed the impeachment notice that was circulated to journalists immediately after the house proceedings.

Political watchers however observed yesterday that the gulf between Governor Adams Oshiomhole and his Deputy, Dr. Pius Odubu may have crept into the State House of Assembly, even as the impeached Speaker, Edoror is still laying claim to the seat of the Speaker.

It was not exactly clear whose faction is loyal to which of the divide but sources said there is a plot to impeach Odubu while another source said the impeachment was for Odubu’s men to take control of the assembly.

Speaking to journalists shortly after his impeachment, Edoror, accompanied by six lawmakers said he remained the Speaker.

“We regret the rowdy session that happened this morning. We will set up the necessary committee to look at the matter. They have a paper duly signed by 11 members. That is not a quorum to remove a Speaker.

“We do not want to suspend any member now. They have learnt their lessons and ran away from the chamber,” he said.

Edoror faulted the sitting that removed him, arguing that the impeachment was done in his absence.

He said only the speaker could convoke a sitting and that the signatories on the impeachment papers were fictitious.

“They don’t have the numbers. We are carrying out our jobs for the benefit of the state in support of the Comrade Governor.

“There is no allegation of corruption before me. Those allegations are frivolous,” he said.

At press time, Edoror’s faction were said to have gone to Government House to see the governor.