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Tag: edo assembly

  • Edo Assembly confirms eight commissioner-designates

    Edo Assembly confirms eight commissioner-designates

    The Edo State House of Assembly on Wednesday confirmed Kassim Afegbua, and seven others as commissioner-designates.

    The commissioner nominees were screened by the House Committee on Rules and Business Committee, headed by the Majority Leader, Jonathan Aigbokhan.

    Gov. Monday Okpebholo had, in a letter, requested the Assembly to screen and confirm the nominees as commissioners in the state.

    Those on the list included Afegbua, Godwin Eshieshi, Ohimai Ehijimetor, and Eugenia Abdallah.

    Others are Mr Nosa Adams, Yakubu Oshiorenua Musa, Felix Akhabue, and Prof. Omorodion Ignatius Ikponmwosa.

    The Chairman of the committee, Jonathan Aigbokhan, presented the report of the committee on the screened nominees to the House for consideration.

    The Speaker said the nominees were competent, experienced, and professionally qualified to serve the state.

    The committee recommended the confirmation of the nominees, having found them eligible to serve as commissioners.

    The House, in a voice vote, confirmed the nominees as commissioner-designates in Edo.

    The speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, however, frowned at the gender imbalance in the nomination of the commissioners.

    According to Agbebaku, out of eight commissioners, “we only have one woman. I will discuss with the governor on the need to include more women.”

    He urged the commissioner-designates to accord the Assembly the respect it deserved and work in synergy with the legislation to ensure that the governor succeeded

  • Edo Assembly Deputy Speaker resigns, gives reason

    Edo Assembly Deputy Speaker resigns, gives reason

    The Deputy Speaker of the Edo House of Assembly, Mrs Maria Oligbi-Edeko (PDP- Esan North East II) has voluntarily resigned her position due to the minority status of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Assembly.

    Oligbi-Edeko was elected Deputy Speaker of the 8th Assembly on June 16, 2023, and served in that capacity until her resignation.

    In her resignation speech, the former deputy speaker said that she resigned her position to allow for justice, fairness, and equity for all the constituencies.

    She thanked the leaders and members of the PDP for finding her worthy to represent her constituency in the assembly.

    Lawmakers in the House took turns to praise her unwavering dedication, passion for public service, and the high level of integrity she consistently demonstrated throughout her tenure.

    Many of the lawmakers described her as a committed leader whose contributions left a lasting impact on the legislative process during her tenure as deputy speaker

    Meanwhile, Mr Osamwonyi Atu (APC-Orhionmwon East), has emerged the new deputy speaker after a unanimous vote by members.

    Following the former deputy speaker’s resignation, the Majority Leader, Jonathan Aigbokhan (APC-Esan West) moved that all the entitlement due to the office of the deputy speaker should be accorded her.

    The motion was seconded by the minority leader, Charity Airobarueghian (PDP-Ovia North East 1), while other lawmakers supported and adopted the motion.

  • Edo Assembly gets new Majority Leader, Chief Whip

    Edo Assembly gets new Majority Leader, Chief Whip

    The Edo State House of Assembly on Monday named Jonathan Aigbokhan (APC–Esan West) as the new Majority Leader, following the emergence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the majority party in the House.

    NAN reports that in March, the APC had notified the Assembly of its new majority status and indicated that changes in the House leadership would be announced in due course.

    The APC currently holds 13 seats after four lawmakers defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP), reducing the PDP’s seats to 11.

    During Monday’s plenary session in Benin, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, read a letter from the APC leadership nominating new principal officers.

    According to the letter, Aigbokhan was appointed as the new Majority Leader, Addeh Isibor as Deputy Majority Leader, and Mustapha Lecky as Chief Whip.

    The position of Deputy Chief Whip, initially assigned to Richard Edosa (APC-Oredo West), was withdrawn as the House does not recognise such a position. Edosa, formerly the sole LP lawmaker, recently defected to the APC.

    NAN also reports that the Speaker and Deputy Speaker positions remain occupied by members of the minority PDP.

    Following the announcement of the new leadership, Speaker Agbebaku disclosed that the PDP would also submit its list of principal officers.

    He emphasised that the distinction between majority and minority should not distract from the House’s collective responsibility to serve the state.

    “What matters is that we all work together to ensure the success of Gov. Monday Okpebholo,” Agbebaku said.

  • Recall suspended council chairmen – PDP to Edo assembly

    Recall suspended council chairmen – PDP to Edo assembly

    The Edo chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the State House of Assembly to recall the 18 suspended local government chairmen for effective grassroots governance.

    The Edo assembly had in December 2024 suspended the 18 local government chairmen and the vice chairmen for two months, citing alleged gross misconduct.

    Dr Anthony Aziegbemi, Chairman of the PDP Caretaker Committee told newsmen in Benin on Monday that due to the absence of chairmen alleged illegal financial dealings were currently ongoing in the local governments.

    He alleged that the suspension of the chairmen and the vice chairmen did not follow due process because it violated Section 19 of the Edo State Local Government Law 2000 (amended 2002).

    “From September 4, 2023, when the elected council executives were sworn in, until December 16, 2024, when the crisis started, the councils were vibrant and functional.

    “The local governments effectively delivered governance and essential services to the people before Governor Monday Okpebholo, barely a month in office, ordered their suspension,” he stated.

    He condemned the suspension as unlawful, accusing the Assembly of executing the directive under false allegations of gross misconduct without granting the chairmen fair hearings.

    “This illegal action ignored clear court rulings, including a Supreme Court judgment from July 11, 2024, stating that elected council members cannot be dissolved by state authorities,” Aziegbemi added.

    He noted that the state Chief Judge had cited this ruling, which was in a suit filed by the Attorney General of the Federation, affirming local government autonomy.

    Aziegbemi lamented that council activities had stalled, with chairmen facing attacks when attempting to resume work, describing the situation as a violation of democratic rights.

    He commended the Attorney General of the Federation for upholding the law and urged him to institute contempt proceedings against Edo’s Attorney General for defying the ruling.

    He warned that Edo’s situation set a dangerous precedent that could undermine President Bola Tinubu’s efforts at ensuring full autonomy for local councils nationwide.

    He called on the Attorney General to halt all federal allocations to Edo State through the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) as the law required.

    “There is no approved budget in any local council, yet funds are being spent illegally without due process in contracts, purchases, and public projects.

    “In the past three months, the Okpebholo administration has unilaterally stopped salaries for elected council officials, except for selectively favoured councilors,” he revealed

    He accused the government of nepotism, alleging that only politically loyal councilors were being paid while elected executives faced financial strangulation.

    Reacting, the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Paul Ohonbamu, dismissed PDP’s claims on local government crisis in the state

    Ohonbamu stated that the Supreme Court’s judgment on local government autonomy did not nullify the Edo State Local Government Law 2000 as amended.

    Ohonbamu clarified that the governor did not suspend the chairmen and vice chairmen but only reported them to the Assembly, which acted within its legal powers.

    Responding to PDP’s claim that the impeachment of council chairmen was illegal, he asserted that the chairmen were removed by their own councilors, following due process.

    He also refuted PDP’s claim that council staff were unpaid, stating that salaries were being disbursed across the state without interruptions or political interference.

    He said the allegations that Governor Okpebholo shared N30 billion council allocations with party members, was a baseless propaganda meant to mislead the public.

    NAN

  • Edo Assembly sacks all political appointees

    Edo Assembly sacks all political appointees

    The Edo House of Assembly on Wednesday relieved all political appointees attached to members of the house of their appointment with immediate effect.

    The Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku announced their sack during plenary in Benin.

    Agbebaku noted that the decision was taken collectively by the 24 members of the House, adding that the political appointees sacked would be paid their February salary.

    He listed the appointees to include special advisers(SAs) , senior special Advisers(SSAs) among others.

    The Speaker said the appointees were appointed by the members upon assumption of the Eight Assembly in June 2023.

    “I think, it is two years now, and, I think the House has graciously agreed that those sets of appointees SAs and SSAs should be relieved of their appointments today, February 19,”.

    According to him, we will meet consequently to know the next line of action to take on that. They will receive this month’s (February) salary,”he said.

  • Edo assembly approves death sentence for kidnapping

    Edo assembly approves death sentence for kidnapping

    The Edo House of Assembly on Tuesday passed the State Kidnapping prohibition law 2025 and approved death sentence for offenders.

    The majority leader, Charity Aiguobarueghian had earlier moved the motion for the house to resolve into the committee of the whole to consider the bill clause-by-clause.

    The motion was seconded by the Minority Leader, Henry Okaka, member representing Owan East.

    During the clause-by-clause consideration of the bill, the lawmakers amended the existing law 2013, which had provided for life imprisonment and confiscation of property allegedly used for kidnapping

    The lawmakers, however, amended the law to provide stiffer penalty of death sentence and confiscation of property used in the act.

    Also, the House passed a bill for a law to repeal the Edo State electricity law 2022, establish Edo state electricity market, Edo state electricity regulatory commission and Edo electrification agency.

    Meanwhile, the House also confirmed Mrs Kenny Okojie as the chairman, governing Board of the Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency.

  • Edo LG chairmen fault Assembly on suspension

    Edo LG chairmen fault Assembly on suspension

    The embattled 18 Local Government Chairmen in Edo State on Wednesday in Benin declared their suspension by the State House of Assembly as null and void.

    It would be recalled that the Governor, Monday Okpebholo had written to the House over the chairmen’s refusal to submit financial records to the Asset Verification Committee as directed.

    The governor described their actions as gross misconduct and insubordination, urging the House to address the matter.

    On Wednesday, December 17, the Edo House of Assembly suspended the chairmen and their deputies over alleged insubordination and misconduct.

    The chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Edo chapter and chairman, Orhiomwon LG, Newman Ugiagbe, said the Assembly acted against a court ruling, adding that they would remain in office till September 2026.

    Ugiagbe noted that the chairmen had taken the matter to court, where Justice Daniel Okungbowa ruled that the governor and Assembly lacked powers to suspend them.

    He said they reminded the Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku of a court order restraining the government from interfering with their constitutional functions or council assets.

    He disclosed that the court also barred the defendants from meddling in council administration or obstructing the chairmen from performing their lawful duties.

    Ugiagbe emphasized that their tenure runs from September 2023 to September 2026, as stipulated by law.

    He affirmed their commitment to fulfilling their constitutional roles, maintaining that no authority could prevent them from serving their councils.

    The chairmen urged security agencies to protect council assets and ensure law and order in the 18 local government areas of the state.

    On his part, the State Attorney General, Dr Samson Osagie said local governments democratic structures had not been altered by the Assembly.

    According to him, “what’s clear is that the House has exercised its powers in the constitution in pursuant to local government administration.

    “The Chairmen better be advised that there is only one Chief Security Officer in the state, that is the governor,” Osagie said.

  • Edo Assembly suspends 18 local government chairmen

    Edo Assembly suspends 18 local government chairmen

    The Edo State House of Assembly has passed a resolution suspending chairmen and vice chairmen of the 18 local governments in the state for two months for alleged insubordination and gross misconduct.

    At plenary on Tuesday, the House also mandated leaders of the legislative arms in the local governments to take over leadership of the respective councils.

    The suspension followed a petition written by the Governor, Monday Okpebholo to the House over the refusal of the chairmen to submit their financial records as directed.

    Okpebholo had on Dec. 3, 2024 given the council chairmen 48 hours to submit their statements of account from September 2023 to date to the Edo State Assets Verification Committee.

    In the letter, the governor described their action as an act of insubordination and gross misconduct and requested the House to look into the matter.

    The suspension of the chairmen and the vice chairmen was sequel to a motion moved by Mr Isibor Adeh (APC Esan North East1) and seconded by Donald Okogbe (PDP Akoko-Edo11)

    After the debate, the Speaker, Mr Blessing Agbebaku called for voting on the matter

    After voting, 14 members supported the motion for their suspension, six were opposed to the motion while three members refused to either support or oppose the motion.

  • Edo Assembly recalls suspended members

    Edo Assembly recalls suspended members

    Edo House of Assembly has announced the recall of the two remaining suspended lawmakers, Donald Okogbe and Adeh Isibor, after five months.

    NAN reports that the assembly had, on May 6, suspended Donald Okogbe (PDP-Akoko-Edo II), Adeh Isibor (APC-Esan North-East I) and Bright Iyamu (Orhionmwon South) over an alleged plot to impeach the Speaker and other principal officers.

    However, Bright Iyamu was later recalled in June after being found remorseful, according to the Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku.

    Agbebaku, at the resumption of plenary in Benin on Wednesday, announced that the assembly had agreed to recall the two remaining lawmakers from suspension.

    He congratulated the state governor-elect, Monday Okpebholo, on his victory at the just-concluded governorship election.

    The speaker, who noted that the governor-elect was for all Edo people, and not just the All Progressives Congress (APC), expressed the hope that sycophants would not mislead him.

    While welcoming members back from a very long recess, Agbebaku thanked the lawmakers for diligently carrying out their duties to ensure passage of impactful bills and resolutions.

    Also during plenary, the assembly approved a 57-sitting day calendar for the second quarter of its second session. (

  • Edo assembly faults IG on suspension of local security

    Edo assembly faults IG on suspension of local security

    Edo House of Assembly on Thursday faulted the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun over the suspension of the Edo State Security Network (ESSN).

    The Majority Leader of the House, Charity Aiguobarueghian, said that the security network was established in line with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

    Aiguobarueghian told newsmen in Benin that the security network would continue to protect the people regardless of the IG’s pronouncement.

    NAN that the I-G had on Wednesday ordered the suspension of the activities of the security network till further notice.

    Egbetokun, who warned the security network to stay off the governorship election, said the mandate to secure the election rested on the police.

    Aiguobarueghian stressed that it was only the court of law that could order suspension, ban or void the Edo security network.

    Aiguobarueghian emphasised the importance of ESSN in the provision of security and helping to secure lives and property, especially at the rural areas in the state .

    The lawmaker also recalled how the local security network was of great help during the ENDSARS protest in the state.

    “The Edo State House of assembly, pursuant to its function and powers as enshrined in Section 4 of the Constitution as amended, had the powers to legislate on maintenance of peace and order in the state.

    “Edo State is among the 23 out of 36 states with internal community police network established to provide security and order.

    ” These functions and powers are clearly provided for by the constitution and cannot be challenged by anybody except through the courts, ” he said.

    According to him, members of the network were not going to participate in the election rather they will be going to the field to vote like every other voter in the state.