BENIN CITY – The Newly elected Speaker of the Edo House of Assembly, Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie( APC Uhunwode) has been sworn in as the speaker of the house.
The clerk of the house, Mr. Lawson Ugiagbe on Monday in Benin administered the Oath of office.
The swearing-in of the new speaker followed the impeachment of the former speaker, Victor Edoror (APC Esan Central) for high-handedness, dictatorial tendencies and financial recklessness.
The Speaker, Mrs. Elzaberth Ativie upon her swearing in immediately swore in the deputy speaker, Mr. Justin Okonobor (APC Igueben)
In her acceptance speech, Ativie said” I feel highly elected and honored to welcome my very distinguished colleagues and others to plenary after the long holiday declared by the state government in honour of our departed monarch.
“Today, history has been made in the Edo state house of assembly. I have been chosen as the first female speaker of the house, a position which the entire women of Edo state and the world at large are so pleased.
“I am overwhelmed by the implicit confidence that my distinguished colleagues have reposed in me to lead the house at a time like this, so that we can collectively bring back the lost glory.
“I will run a transparent, honest and open door policy to all throughout my tenure,” Ativie
According to her, may I use this medium to assure his Excellency, the governor of Edo state that the house will continue to collaborate with the executive in our collective efforts to transform Edo State.
Meanwhile, security Operatives from the Edo State Police Command and men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps yesterday cordoned off the premises of Edo State House of Assembly.
This, it was gathered that (EDHA) complex may not be unconnected with seemingly crisis generated last week during plenary after the Speaker of the, Hon. Victor Edoror was impeached.
The NIGERIAN OBSERVER gathered that police patrol vans, including an Armored Personnel Tank were stationed at the entrance of the assembly’s complex and at strategic points around the Assembly Complex situated in the Oba Ovonranmwen Square.
Observation revealed that various routes leading into the Assembly premises were mounted by security personnel with security patrol vans who stopped the impeached speaker from driving in with his vehicle.
