Hon Frank Okiye was on Monday sacked as Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly by nine out of ten members of the crisis-ridden chamber.
The State Assembly has been in trouble since 2019 when twelve of the twenty-four lawmakers were not inaugurated with Governor Godwin Obaseki said to be behind it.
Read Also: Why Pay-As-You-Go is not feasible now – MultiChoice CEO
Okiye’s election as Speaker was mired in controversy.
But his time on the seat came to end on Monday following his impeachment by nine members despite his open support for Gov Obaseki’s reelection.
Sources said his sin followed his refusal to decamp to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, with Obaseki, which put to the test his loyalty to the governor’s cause.
“Okiye did not play his card well during the election. While it is true that he was in Obaseki’s camp and was made the Speaker against the choice of Oshiomhole, but when Obaseki decamped to PDP, he remained in APC. Technically he was on the side of APC during the September 19 governorship election. He was not sure if Obaseki would win so he did not follow him to PDP then. Now the result of the election is known and he announced his joining PDP.
“This appears belated as there are others in the House who stuck out their neck to sink or swim with Obaseki,” OrijoReporter was told.
Okiye was also suspended for three months to allow for a peaceful transition.
