Group protests suspension of former Edo deputy speaker

Hundreds of people from Uhunmwode constituency yesterday protested the continued suspension of Elizabeth Ativie from Edo State House of Assembly over her alleged refusal to return vehicles attached to her office as Deputy Speaker.

They disrupted activities at the Oba Ovontanmwen Square, popularly called Ring Road, as even some elderly persons joined in the protests to the Anthony Enahoro Assembly Complex, which lasted several hours.

Ativie was removed as Deputy Speaker three months ago, when members of the House changed its leadership that brought in Kabiru Adjoto as Speaker.

She was given a three months suspension for allegedly refusing to return her official vehicle, which she claimed was given to her as a gift by former governor Adams Oshiomhole, a claim Oshiomhole has since denied.

The protesters under the Coalition of Uhunmwode, said her continued suspension had assumed the toga of political victimisation, a situation, they said, had denied them representation at the house.

President of the group, Ehigiator James, said, “Even as the year is coming to an end, we cannot afford to allow the Uhunmwode constituency seat in the House to be vacant in the presentation and consideration of the 2018 budget, which is one of the major constitutional duties of our representative.

“The house gave three months suspension. After the three months, we have now found out that this has become a manipulation, intimidation of the Uhunmwonde people but how long are we going to continue like this?