By Tosin Olatokunbo
The political atmosphere in Edo state seems to have calmed after Governor Godwin Obaseki won a re-election four weeks ago. But with the impeachment of the Speaker of the state house of Assembly, Henry Okiye, few hours ago, another battle line may have been drawn by the political actors in the state.
The former Speaker is one of the close allies of Governor Obaseki who backed the governor against his predecessor and former governor of the state, Adams Oshiomhole over the control of the soul of politics of the state.
Even though the magazine was told that the impeachment is part of the realignment of forces in the state after the keenly contested election was won by the incumbent, it’s not really clear why Okiye became the first casualty after the gubernatorial election has been won and lost.
But one source told the magazine that the hawks in Governor Obaseki’s government moved against the former Speaker over what he described as ‘his decision to remain in APC after the governor and his deputy moved to PDP after dumping APC to realise their ambitions.”
When journalist asked the former speaker in July why he chose to remain in APC after Obaseki and his deputy, Phillip Shuaibu had moved to PDP, he said he had not made up his mind to defect.
he said then that the decision to leave the party was purely his and would decide on the issue with the passage of time. He never did.
Okiye’s impeachment, the magazine learnt came after the majority leadr of the assembly, Henry Okhurobo, raised a motion to that effect, and was later approved by nine other members who were present at a briefing in Benin, the state’s capital.
Marcus Onobun, representing Esan West constituency has been elected the speaker of the assembly
