Jethro Ibileke/Benin
Apparently moving to avert being sent to jail, the embattled Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Mr. Victor Edoror Tuesday swore-in Mr. Sylvanus Eruaga of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as member representing Etsako West ll State Constituency in the Assembly.
With his inauguration, Eruaga will now represent Governor Adams Oshiomhole at the Assembly.
The swearing-in of the new lawmaker is coming barely 24 hours after the Appeal Court sitting in Benin City ordered the State Solicitor-General, Oluwole Iyamu, to produce the Speaker and the Clerk of the Assembly on Thursday for disobeying its order to swear-in Eruaga.
Justice Olukayode Bada who handed out the order on Monday also said the duo are to show cause why they should not be committed to prison.
The State Election Petition Tribunal and the Appellate Court had last year invalidated the April 11, 2015 Assembly election of Mr. Yakubu Gowan of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and ordered the immediate swearing-in of Eruaga, being the first runner-up at the poll.
Eruaga’s inauguration however had become subject of controversy, following Edoror’s refusal to swear-in the lawmaker-elect
The Speaker had attributed his action to a petition of fake certificate of return against the legislator-elect.
Not satisfied with the posture, Eruaga headed back to the Appellate Court through his Counsel, Barrister Dele Igbinedion, during which he obtained form 48 and 49 against Edoror.
But while conducting Eruaga’s swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday, Edoror said it was “in line with the Appeal Court verdict last December and the issuance of certificate of return,” adding, “we are saddled with the responsibility of making law. So, all we need is the rudiment to obey the law.”
*The author, Jethro Ibileke, can be reached at jethroibileke@gmail.com