EDO: 12-12 As Oshiomhole’s Camp Loses 1 Lawmaker To Obaseki

THE crisis rocking the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC was reshaped on Wednesday when one of the 13 members that had been aligned with Comrade Adams Oshiomhole abandoned ship to berth with Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Emmanuel Agbaje representing Akoko Edo II State Constituency was inaugurated at a Wednesday evening session of the House thus bringing the balance of power between Oshiomhole and Obaseki to 12-12 in the House of Assembly made up of 24 members.

Before now, 13 members were aligned with the national chairman of the party, Comrade Oshiomhole and had insisted on toeing the line that the inauguration of the assembly penultimate Monday was illegal. Their number originally 19 with the development on Wednesday indicated that they have over time lost five members.

However, two members, Hon Uyi  Ekhosuehi of Oredo East and Eric Okaka of Owan East have remained absent since they were inaugurated and had claimed that they were forced in the initial inauguration.

Agbaje who comes from Oshiomhole’s stronghold in Edo North following his inauguration said his action was based on the interest of his constituents and the decision of the party. He called on his colleagues still outside the House to come forward for inauguration.

The house convened at about 4.24 p.m. and after the necessary formalities, the Speaker, Frank Okiye administered the oath of office on Aggaje at 4.31 p.m.  He, thereafter, announced that the house had to reconvene because of the compulsory retirement of a deputy Clerk of the house which would only become effective with confirmation from the house.

He also said it was to “set the records straight” that some members have completed their documentation and needed to take their oath of office.

Speaking to journalists after, Agbaje said he had to take the decision based on the position of his constituents and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) he was representing.

He said; “I will say that there comes a time when you out personal interest consider the general interest. I was elected to represent my people, for me their interests come first I may have some reservation that led to my earlier decision but having reviewed my position vis-à-vis the position of my constituency I have decided to toe the line of the masses of my constituency and come in for inauguration so that my people will be adequately represented. I was elected to serve and I didn’t bring myself here. Whatever their position is, I must follow what they want me to do.

“I believe my constituents will also appreciate that I listened to them and I will want to assure them that that the confidence they reposed in me, I will not disappoint them.”

On his colleagues yet to be inaugurated, he said, “I will want to urge them that it is time to sheath their sword. This is a family matter, it is an intra-party issue, there must always be disagreements but there should be compromises that is politics.”

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