Edo State Governor Okpebholo to Investigate Obaseki Administration Over Assembly Crisis

The newly sworn-in Governor of Edo State, Okpebholo, has announced plans to question the previous administration led by Godwin Obaseki regarding the 2019 denial of inauguration for 14 elected members of the state’s House of Assembly. The inquiry is scheduled to take place on Monday.

Governor Okpebholo, in his inaugural speech at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, stated his administration’s commitment to uncovering the factors that led to the exclusion of these lawmakers from the legislative process. The 14 members, all elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 7th Assembly, were denied their swearing-in during Obaseki’s tenure, an action Okpebholo described as a serious affront to democracy.

“In order to prevent a recurrence of that disaster, my government is assembling a commission of inquiry to look into its remote causes,” Okpebholo said, stressing the importance of protecting democratic values. “This is extremely important since democracy depends on the legislative branch of government to remain viable,” he added, pledging full cooperation with current State House of Assembly members.

The governor also expressed a commitment to strengthening governance in Edo State by working closely with state lawmakers to establish robust governance structures for accelerated development.

In a move to reinforce the judiciary’s role, Governor Okpebholo directed Justice Daniel Okungbowa, the Chief Judge of Edo State, to investigate the delayed swearing-in of three judges recommended by the National Judicial Council, which the previous administration had allegedly postponed. “The Chief Judge will investigate this and take the appropriate action right away,” Okpebholo affirmed, emphasizing that justice would be delivered in a fair and timely manner according to the principle of separation of powers.