Three Edo assembly lawmakers suspended over impeachment plot

The Edo House of Assembly on Monday suspended three lawmakers over alleged plot to impeach the speaker and other principal officers. The speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, announced the suspension at resumption of plenary in Benin. Mr Agbebaku alleged that Donald Okogbe (PDP Akoko-Edo II), Bright Iyamu (PDP-Orhionmwon South) and Adeh Isibor (PDP-Esan North East I) were being used by some external forces to cause chaos and remove the leadership of the parliament. The pronouncement led to a rowdy situation at the parliament as the lawmakers tried to challenge their suspension. “Mr speaker, you don’t have the right to unilaterally suspend any member of the house. You must call for votes,” the opposing legislators said. “Allow members to vote on the matter.” The speaker thereafter adjourned plenary abruptly.

Former Speaker Bright Omokhodion withdraws from APC governorship race

The former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Bright Omokhodion, has officially withdrawn from the race for the governorship on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Omokhodion, a top-level contender from Edo Central Senatorial District, announced his decision citing gross discontent with the screening committee’s skewed screening process of APC governorship candidates. The withdrawal was made public in a statement personally signed by Omokhodion. His words: “Compatriots, I wish you a blessed season’s best. It has become imperative to inform you that due to my gross discontent with the SKEWED screening process of APC governorship candidates by the screening committee, I am withdrawing from the 2024 Edo Governorship race. “This decision is purely the outcome of consultation with my campaign team; we have jumped many hurdles and impediments in our quest but regrettably reached this decision after a stormy meeting. “I must thank all of you for sharing in my vision and desire for a greater and productive Edo of our dreams. I will in due course advise our followers of the next line of action, while we continue to support the aspirations of my party, APC. “Once again, thank you for keeping the SMILES-VISION project alive.”