The build up to the September 10 governorship election in Edo State assumed a dangerous dimension on Tuesday.
The Speaker of the House of Assembly, Victor Edoror, and his deputy, Bright Osayande, were impeached.
It is believed Governor Adams Oshiomhole was behind the impeachment.
Oshiomhole will vacate the Government House in November.
A source said the deputy governor, Dr. Pius Odubu, is the next target for impeachment.
Immediately after the impeachment, scores of thugs invaded the Assembly Complex, shooting sporadically into the air.
About 10 people were injured in the pandemonium.
Security agents had a hectic time in restoring peace.
Freedom Online learned that the Ishan people of Edo Central Senatorial District are up in arms against Oshiomhole because of his decision to zone the governorship to Edo South District.
Oshiomhole is from Edo North.
Edoror is an Ishan and recently, he summoned some commissioners to come to the House to account for how the state money was spent.
It is believed Oshiomhole saw this as an affront and an attempt by the Ishan people, using their son, Edoror, to probe him and embarrass his administration.
One of the lawmakers told Freedom Online said the plot to remove the Speaker and his deputy was hatched during a meeting held last Sunday in Benin.
After Edoror was impeached by 16 of the 24 members, he was immediately replaced with Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie, representing Uhuwode.
The impeachment followed a motion by the Majority Leader, Mr Folly Ogedemgbe (APC-Owan- East) and seconded by Mr Patrick Illuobe (PDP – Esan-North East).
“This is an impeachment notice signed by 16 members that the speaker, Victor Edoror and his deputy, are hereby impeached,’’ Ogedemgbe said during the sitting.
Shortly after moving the motion, Ogedemgbe nominated Illuobe to preside over the election, who thereafter called for nomination for a new speaker and deputy.
Ativie’s name was submitted as speaker by Mr Victor Assen (APC-Owan-East), while Mr Justin Okonobo ( APC-Igueben) was nominated as deputy speaker by Henry Okhuobo (APC-Orhionmwon).
The two were subsequently approved to lead the House by the lawmakers.
Immediately after the impeachment, pandemonium started.
The thugs started shooting and beat everyone they saw.
Addressing journalists, Mrs. Ativie said the members could no longer tolerate “the greedy nature of Edoror”.
She, therefore, set up a five-member committee headed by Kabiru Adjoto, representing Akoko-Edo 1, to investigate alleged financial recklessness of the impeached speaker from June, 2015 to May 3, 2016.
She said if found wanting at the end of the three months when the committee will submit its report, he will be handed over to the appropriate authority.
One of the lawmakers who is against Edoror’s impeachment declared that the speaker was removed “to clear the way for the impeachment of Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu”.
“You know that Dr. Odubu, who hails from Edo South District, has insisted that he would contest for the governorship seat and Oshiomhole is against him. The next plot is to begin impeachment process against him. Oshiomhole has said he won’t work with a deputy who is behaving like an Atiku when Obasanjo was the president. Let’s see how it goes”.
