Edo Speakership: Police Beef-Up Security At Edo state House of Assembly

There was tension at the Edo State House of Assembly as combined team of security agents made up of Police and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) took over the premises of the assembly. Daily Trust who visited the area observed several security vehicles stationed at the Assembly while the main and exit gate of the complex were under lock and keys, thus preventing  members of staff from gaining access to the complex with their vehicles It was gathered that the development was not unconnected with the leadership tussle between the state governor, Godwin Obaseki and his predecessor, Adams Oshiomhole, the current National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). It was also learnt that the security were at the Assembly apparently to forestall the incoming lawmakers said to be loyal to Oshiomhole to elect principal officers especially the Speaker in the absence of the governor who is in Abuja. The governor was said to be rooting for Frank Okiye, representing Esan North-East 1 as Speaker while Oshiomhole allegedly wants Victor Edoror, representing Esan Central constituency for same position. Daily Trust further gathered that the governor was yet to transmit letter of proclamation to the clerk of the house for the inauguration of the seventh assembly. Addressing staff at the assembly, chairman, Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), Umar Farouk, condemned the action of the Police, saying the police have no right to lock them outside their offices. Our reporter however gathered that the inauguration of the assembly will  take place between Thursday and Friday. Reacting to the incident, Crusoe Osagie, the media aide to Governor Obaseki, said the governor is still in Abuja following his election as vice chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), adding that he can’t be in Abuja and be doing proclamation of the Assembly in Edo state. He said as soon as the governor is back from Abuja, he would proclaim the assembly. On the police presence at the assembly, Osagie said “the police were there because the 6th Assembly has ended and another one is yet to start, and people may take the advantage of the lacuna to commit illegality. “So people should not be surprised that the police were there. They are there to do their duty and forestall breakdown of law and order.”