The Inside Story As Security Operatives Take Over Edo Assembly After Pro Obaseki Lawmakers Sacked Deputy Speaker

Charles Oyelesi

The Edo State House of Assembly complex has been taken over by security operatives.

This move is meant to contain the spillover of the sack of Deputy Speaker Yekini Idaiye.

The deputy speaker was removed yesterday by seven lawmakers loyal to Governor Obaseki based on allegations of gross misconduct and allegation of divulging official secrets.

Insiders, however, disclosed that the deputy speaker was removed for pledging allegiance to Osagie Ize Iyamu, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the upcoming gubernatorial election in Edo State.

Ize-Iyamu is the main challenger to Governor Godwin Obaseki who defected from the APC to rival People’s Democratic Party in pursuit of his re-election ambition.

Deputy Speaker Yekini was removed by the pro-Obaseki lawmaker at a sitting held in the Government House, the complex that is under the watch of the Governor yesterday, Wednesday, August 5, 2020.

Security operatives stormed the Edo State Assembly complex today, Thursday, August 6, 2020.

Many believe the move is aimed at containing the reaction to the removal of the Deputy Speaker.

The other side represents the seventeen lawmakers outplayed by the seven state legislators carrying out ‘’legislative function’’ in Ondo state – and backed by Governor Obaseki.

The seventeen lawmakers who are in the majority are allegedly seeking an entry into the Edo House of Assembly complex to ”pay Obaseki and the lawmakers loyal to him in their own coin.”

The seventeen lawmakers enjoy the support of sacked APC National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole who is engulfed in a make or mar political fight with Obaseki.