There was confusion on Monday at the Edo State House of Assembly complex as the scheduled inauguration of the 7th Assembly could not hold over the absence of Governor Goodwin Obaseki who was billed to proclaim the inauguration.
Armed security agents drawn from the Police and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) took over the premises of the assembly.
The gates leading to the complex was under lock even as the operatives prevented staff from gaining access to their offices.
Chairman, Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), Umar Farouk, condemned the operatives’ action and that the police have no right to lock them outside their offices.
It was gathered that governor Obaseki was yet to transmit proclamation letter to the clerk, three days after the 6th Assembly winded up.
The development is coming over reported rift over supremacy battle between governor Godwin Obaseki and the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole.
Besides, it was also learnt that the duo had shifted thier rift to the assembly where they intend to outsmart each other in a bid to ensure that their preferred candidates emerged as principal officers.
We also gathered that the presence of the security agents was aimed at forestalling the lawmakers-elect loyal to Oshiomhole from electing principal officers in the governor’s absence.As exclusively reported Monday both men were said to have perfected plans to install their preferred candidate as speaker of the 7th Assembly which was scheduled for inaugurated yesterday.
The 24 members of the incoming assembly is wholly APC.While the governor is said to be backing a former majority leader of the Assembly, Frank Okiye, representing Esan North-East 1, ex-speaker, Victor Edoror representing Esan Central reportedly have the blessings of Oshiomhole.
It was gathered that the odds favoured Edoror after 19 out of the 24 incoming legislators-elect attended a meeting called by Oshiomhole.
The members reportedly adopted the National Chairman’s preferred candidate for the speakership position at the meeting.
Special Adviser to Obaseki on Media & Communication Strategy, Crusoe Osagie, said governor Obaseki was away in Abuja following his election as vice chairman of Progressives Governors’ Forum.
According to him, the governor can’t be in Abuja and be doing proclamation of the assembly in Edo State.
Crusoe however stated that security agents presence at the Assembly was to prevent people who may want to take advantage of the lacuna in the legislative arm to commit illegality.
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