There was a drama at the Edo State House of Assembly yesterday following the impeachment of the Deputy Speaker of the house, Victor Edoror.
It was gathered that as early as 08:00am the assembly’s premises was taken over by armed security personnel from the Department of State Security (DSS), the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Suspected political thugs were also reported to have positioned themselves at strategic locations within the premises.
The presence of the security personnel, it was gathered, was to forestall alleged possible impeachment of the Speaker of the House, Kabiru Adjoto (Akoko-Edo I), over an alleged legal suit he instituted against the APC as a result of the alleged substitution of his name with that of Peter Akpatason by the national leadership of the party.
As soon as plenary commenced, the Chief Whip of the House, Osaigbovo Iyoha (APC, Oredo East), moved a motion for the impeachment of the deputy speaker over alleged misappropriation of funds, corruption and acts of desperation tantamount to causing division in the house.
Iyoha alleged that the impeachment letter was signed by 16 members of the house.
The impeachment motion was seconded by Emmanuel Agbaje, (APC, Akoko-Edo II).
However, the Member representing Owan East, Foly Ogedengbe (APC), moved a counter-motion that was not recognised by the speaker.
Infuriated by the action of the speaker, Foly Ogedengbe accused him of misappropriating funds belonging to the house.
As the argument raged, the embattled deputy speaker seized the mace of the house, but was overpowered.
Thereafter, the Speaker, Adjoto, announced the suspension of the impeached Deputy Speaker, Ogedengbe, and Gani Audu (APC, Etsako West I) over what he described as unruly behavior, for three months.
The Majority Leader, Roland Asoro, nominated the former Speaker, Justine Okonoboh, as the new deputy speaker and was seconded by Emmnauel Agbaje.
As soon as the house adjourned plenary, the suspected thugs, armed with sticks, invaded the premises, apparently to attack Ogedengbe who moved a counter motion.
