Edo Assembly Impeaches Speaker, Elects Onobun

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Mr Frank Abumere Okiye, has been impeached by members of the state parliament.

Mr Okiye’s removal comes barely two weeks after he led his colleagues to pay a visit to Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, shortly after he won the governorship election for another term of four years in office.

According to reports from Benin City, the state capital, Mr Okiye was booted out of office by nine members of 10 members of the House of Assembly.

At the plenary on Monday morning, Mr Okiye was accused by his colleagues of his alleged high-handedness and other allegations.

In view of this, the Majority Leader of the House, Mr Henry Okhuarobo, moved a motion for this impeachement, which was supported by other lawmakers. He was subsequently removed from office.

Meanwhile, a member of the House representing Esan West Constituency, Mr Marcus Onobun, has been elected as the new Speaker. He is believed to be the youngest Speaker the state has produced

Details later.