Another round of fresh crisis is said to be looming at the Delta State House of Assembly following governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s ‘arm twisting’ of the new speaker, Mr. Sheriff Oboriowori and few other members of the house to sack the new Majority Leader of the house who is representing Isoko South constituency 11, Mr. Johnson Erijo.
HardReporters could recalled that as early as 7:30 am, Thursday, May, 11, 2017, 22 out of the 29 members of the Delta State House of Assembly had signed an impeachment notice, impeaching the speaker, Mr. Monday Igbuya, representing Sapele constituency and immediately substituted with the member representing Okpe constituency, Mr. Sheriff Oboriowori as the new speaker.
The motion for the impeachment of Mr. Igbuya which was moved by the member representing Isoko South constituency 11, Mr. Johnson Erijo and seconded by the member representing Oshimili South constituency and former speaker of the house, Mr. Peter Onwusanya and unanimously adopted, also saw the impeachment of the Majority leader and member representing Isoko North constituency, Mr. Tim Owhefere, paved the way for Mr. Erijo to clinched the number three position of the house.
At today’s sitting of the house after its two weeks of break, the former speaker, Mr. Igbuya and majority leader, Mr. Owhefere who were suspended for three months each have their suspension lifted by the house while members were dazed with a surprised letter removing the new majority leader, Mr. Erijo and reinstated Mr. Owhefere as the majority leader of the house
The Deputy Speaker, Mr. Friday Osanebi, under matters of urgent public importance, moved for the lifting of the suspension of the two lawmakers to enable them resume plenary in the next adjourned date of the house. The motion was seconded by Mr. Eric Oharisi, Ughelli North 2 constituency and unanimously adopted when put to voice vote by the speaker, Mr. Oborevwori.
The speaker who welcome members to the plenary, the first after the impeachment of the former speaker, said “Today’s marks the return to legislative business after the event of the past weeks that resulted in my emergency as the new Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly. Distinguished Colleagues, I want to specially appreciate you for the confidence reposed in me at a time when as an arm of government, feel that a new leadership is needed to move this vibrant Assembly to greater heights.
“We must at this stage not lose sight of the fact that we were elected to make laws for peace, order and good governance of the state in pursuant to section four, sub section seven of the 1999 constitution of federal republic of Nigeria as amended”.
To the amazement of some members of the house, the speaker read a letter from the state peoples democratic party chairman, (PDP), Mr. Kingsley Esiso, reaffirming Mr. Tim Owhefere as the party’s candidate for the position of Majority Leader of the House, therefore sacking Mr. Erijo from his new position and the house adjourned till Wednesday 24th, May, 2017.
However, the new development did not go down well with some members of the house who accused governor Okowa of witching hunting Mr. Erijo because of long time political dispute.
A member of the house who spoke under the condition of anonymity with HardReporters house of Assembly correspondent in the state, said that what happened to Mr. Erijo was a mere political vendetta.
“This is a pure political vendetta from governor Okowa on Erijo. Since 2015, Okowa has taken Erijo as his sworn enemy all because Mr. Erijo’s declared his full support for former governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s governorship candidate, Mr. Tony Obuh against governor Okowa. Since then, Okowa does not have confidence in Erijo, he sees him as a threat and enemy.
“We also know that Erijo is a close political associate of former speaker Victor Ochei who is also another sworn enemy of Okowa. The governor has only used the instrument of the party to fight Erijo and have his preferred candidate, Mr. Owhefere reinstated as the majority leader of the house. Some of us are not happy with the development and I am seeing another round of fresh crisis rocking the house in no distance time.
“Our decision supposed to be sacrosanct but with what is happening now, because it was a decision took by 22 out of the 29 members to impeach the Speaker and leader of the House as such the party has no rights whatsoever to upturn that decision. As a party they have a say of who becomes the leader at the point of proclamation of the house and not in a situation of impeachment.” the member lamented.
Meanwhile, congratulatory messages have been pouring in for the reinstated majority leader of the house, Mr. Tim Owhefere even as our correspondent learnt that supporters of Mr. Owhefere are in happy mood as well as drinking while supporters of the sacked majority leader, Mr. Johnson Erijo are said to be mourning the development, passing all the blames on governor Okowa.
The Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Isoko North local government chapter has congratulated the member representing Isoko North constituency, Mr. Tim Owhefere on his reinstatement as Majority Leader of the Delta State House of Assembly.
The party in a statement signed by its chairman, Mr. Godwin Ogorugba, described Mr. Owhefere as a worthy son of the local government and a dedicated party stalwart.
“On behalf of the LGA Executive party leaders and the entire membership of our great party in Isoko North Local Government, I congratulate and rejoice with you on this special day of your reinstatement as Majority Leader of the Delta State House of Assembly. Your didactic and eloquent contributions to debates on the floor of the Assembly has brought honour and pride to the people of Isoko North.”
