How we were shut out of inauguration – Edo lawmakers-Elect

Edo state

The House of Representatives Ad Hoc committee probing the crisis in the Edo State House of Assembly on Wednesday began investigations into what transpired in the state.

15 members of the Edo House of Assembly who were not inaugurated were at the National Assembly to give insight into what transpired in the state.

Hon Washington Osifo, who spoke to the Abdulrasak headed committee, narrated how they were shut out of the inauguration by the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki.

He said: on 17th of June an illegal inauguration of the Edo House of Assembly was performed.

A member of the Edo House, Christopher Okibe gave further insight.

He told Rep members that the bickering between the Governor and the Edo House is the issue of leadership.

Okibe, while answering questions from the committee revealed that the 6th Edo House was a legislative embarrassment as they were an “appendage of the Executive.”

He said: “They even forced us to vote against our own autonomy,” he said.

“N5 million was given to each member who agreed to be inaugurated,” the House committee members were told.

The members recounted their experience at the Golden Tulip Hotel and how they were brutalised by thugs allegedly on the order of the Governor.

The state assembly lawmakers came with evidence in 15 flash drives, documents including screenshots of text messages from the Governor, pictures, audio and video recordings for the perusal of the committee.

They said because of the threat to their lives, they have exiled themselves to the federal Capital City.

Recall that the House of Representatives on Tuesday resolved to set up a fact-finding committee to investigate the crisis in the Edo State House of Assembly.

But the investigation is with a view to reconciling the warring factions.
The motion was sponsored by three members, Hons Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, Peter Akpatason and Johnson Oghuma.

The ad hoc committee is given a week to report back to the House.

While speaking, the Chairman of the ad hoc committee, Abdulrasak Namdas said though the House of Representatives has the constitutional powers to take over the functions of the Edo House of Assembly, members feel there is need to seek the genesis of the problem and look at the possibility of reconciling the two factions.

The panel will be visiting Edo State within the week and will take testimony from the Governor, as well as the Commissioner for Police amongst others and visit the Oba of Benin.