Benin, the Edo state capital was thrown into turmoil on Tuesday as the State House of Assembly impeached its speaker, Victor Edoror.
Edoror, a member of the All Progressives Congress, was removed alongside his deputy who is also a member of the party by 16 of the 24 lawmakers.
Members of the House elected Elizabeth Ativie as the assembly’s first female speaker.
The impeachment followed a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Folly Ogedemgbe (APC-Owan- East) and seconded by Patrick Illuobe (PDP – Esan-North East).
“This is an impeachment notice signed by 16 members that the speaker Victor Edoroh and his deputy, are hereby impeached,’’
Mr. Ogedemgbe said during the house sitting.
Shortly after moving the motion,
Ogedemgbe nominated Illuobe to preside over the election.
Ativie’s name was submitted as speaker by Victor Assen (APC- Owan-East), while Justin Okonobo (APC-Igueben) was nominated as deputy speaker by Henry Okhuobo (APC-Orhionmwon).
The two were subsequently approved to lead the House by the lawmakers.
The assembly soon slipped into chaos as suspected thugs invaded the chamber as Ativie took her seat.
Security operatives immediately took over control of the assembly’s premises, as staff scampered for safety.
