The Edo State House of Assembly on Monday effected a peaceful change of leadership of principal officers with a view to address the imbalance in leadership in the state.
BusinessDay reports that the change resulted in the stepping down of the incumbent speaker, Elizabeth Ativie (APC), representing Uhunmwode constituency for her deputy, Justine Okonoboh, (APC) representing Igueben constituency
Foly Ogedengbe, the Majority Leader of the house moved the motion on matters of urgent public importance for the duo to swap position and was seconded by the deputy majority leader, Henry Okhuaroboh.
Ogedengbe, (APC), representing Owan East constituency said the change was to correct the imbalance in the political leadership of the state, noting that the decision was for public interest and not personal.
The legislators however suspended rule 1 sub 2, 20, 22 and 73 of the house to elevate the former deputy speaker to the position of speaker.
The motion was supported by 19 lawmakers out of the 24 members.
Recall that Elizabeth Ativie, (APC) representing Uhunmwode constituency was on May 3, 2016 emerged the first female speaker of the house as well as the South- South geo-political zone after the impeachment of the former speaker, Victor Edoror.
Edoror, APC member representing Esan Central constituency was impeached over alleged gross financial misconduct, high-handedness, dictatorial tendencies, violation of house rules and regulations among others.
The change of leadership in the house was said to have been informed by the alleged marginalization of the Edo Central senatorial district in the political leadership in the state.
In the political hierarchy in the state, Edo North senatorial has Adams Oshiomhole, as the governor, Edo South produced Pius Odubu, as deputy while the position of speaker was zone to Edo Central senatorial district.
However, with the May 3, 2016 impeachment of Victor Edoror, Elizabeth Aitivie, representing Uhunmwode from Edo South district was elected speaker leaving the Edo central senatorial district with deputy.
In his inaugural speech, the new speaker likens his emergence as speaker to “that of the former president of the country, Goodluck Jonathan”.
“I became deputy speaker of the house without lobby. I am now speaker again without lobby too. Some people have called me Jonathan but I give praise to God”, he said.
He however promised to carry members of the house along in the scheme of things.
