Edo House clears speaker of alleged financial malfeasance

THE impeachment move against the Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Victor Edoror, over alleged misappropriation of funds may have finally whittled down, if not, already fully aborted.

Edoror, who was last week accused in the heat of the crisis of withholding N18 million and N36 million meant for induction of members and maintenance of their quarters respectively, has been cleared of any financial malfeasance by the House.

In a motion by Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Chris Okaeben and seconded by Igbas Ezehi, the House noted that it had become necessary to clarify that the speaker never collected N36 million from local council chairmen.

On his part, the Majority Leader, Foly Ogedengbe, said the vote was necessary to inspire confidence in the leadership in their commitment to continue delivering dividends of democracy to the people.

Similarly, a group, Edo Forum for Good Governance, yesterday passed a vote of confidence on the speaker, saying the allegation was spurious, as he had piloted the affairs of the legislature creditably.

Spokesperson for the group, Ojiefo Momodu, in a statement yesterday warned against attempt to terminate the four-year tenure of the speaker, saying such plot would be resisted by the people.

“It is only fair and just that the Ishan people are allowed the opportunity to complete their tenure as Speaker of the House. The immediate past speaker, Uyi Igbe, a Benin man was there for four years while the governor from Edo North is at the verge of completing his eight years administration.

“We suspect that these people who are peddling rumours about the speaker are just doing it so as to create tension where none exists. We believe in the ability of Hon. Victor Edoror to continue to lead the assembly,” he cautioned.