Political thugs believed to have the backing of Edo state House of Assembly Speaker, Kabiru Adjoto yesterday invaded the Assembly complex.
This is as a Former Speaker, Justin Okonoboh emerged as new deputy speaker.
The drama started when the the Chief Whip of the House, Osaigbovo Iyoha brought to the attention of members impeachment notice against the Deputy Speaker, Victor Edoror and signed by 16 members. He was accused of misappropriation of funds, corruption and act of desperation capable of throwing the House into confusion. This did not however go down well with some of the members and this resulted in a melo drama that saw the seizure of the mace.
After dust had settled and the House resumed sitting, 2 members representing Owan East and Etsako West 11 constituencies, Folly Ogedegbe and Gani Audu respectively were suspended for three months over alleged unruly behaviour. Former speaker of the House, Justin Okonobo, representing Igueben constituency was thereafter nominated as the new deputy speaker.
The plenary was however thrown into confusion when the embattled deputy speaker rushed for the mace and laid hold to it for over 40 minutes, an aftermath of unfruitful attempt to move a counter motion of impeachment against the speaker. The speaker equally refused to recognise Folly Ogedegbe, who in a counter motion, accused him of embezzling N100million fund belonging to the House.
Meanwhile, it took the effort of the security men, mainly riot policemen, who were stationed at the three entrance gates to the assembly as early as 7 am from stopping the fierce looking thugs armed with dangerous weapons from attacking the anti-speaker lawmakers. Addressing the crowd, the speaker, Kabiru Adjoto, appreciated the thugs for coming to defend democracy. He said: ‘’ I will always be loyal to the APC. The interest of the state is much greater than the interest of an individual. As APC members, we are working hard to ensure President Buhari wins come 2019”
Extra materials from Dailytimes