Adjoto, new Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly

Jethro Ibileke/Benin

The Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Mr. Justin Okonoboh, was Monday morning impeached by 19 members of the House.

Also impeached were the Deputy Speaker, Mrs. Elizabeth Active and the Majority Leader, Folly Ogedegbe.

Following the improvement, Kabiru Adjoto, the member representing Akoko-Edo Constituency 1 was elected Speaker; Victor Editor (Esan Central) Deputy Speaker, and Roland Asoro (Orhiomwhon ll), Majority Leader.

Addressing journalists in his office, Adjoto accused Okonoboh of shutting down the House for six weeks when he travelled to the United States of America, “just because his son was graduating.”

He said they were elected to be a partner in Edo State project with the Governor of the State whom he described as a performing Governor.

He said the impeached principal officers have been suspended for three months as well as Magnus Izehi-Igbas (PDP) representing Esan North-East constituency ll.

“The impeached Speaker converted the House to his private estate. We are supposed to be a 24 members in the House, but he now co-opted his wife as the 25th member who was privileged to know all the operations before the members.

“He also awarded contracts to his personal self without recourse to the house standing rules and due process.

“Subsequently, the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker and they Majority Leader of the House remain suspended to enable us investigate their activities.

“Interestingly, we have a performing Executive [arm of the government]. We want to legislate for the people to move the State forward,” Adjoto said.