The crisis rocking Edo State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) Wednesday took a different dimension following the declaration as vacant, 12 seats of members-elect by the State House of Assembly.
Two other lawmakers’ seats, messers Uyi Ekhosuehi and Mr Henry Okaka representing Oredo East and Owan East respectively who reportedly did not meet mandatory sitting requirement were also declared vacant during plenary at the Assembly complex.
The Assembly called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct by- election within 90 days for the affected constituencies.
While the duo of Uyi and Okaka were said to have absconded from plenary after the inauguration of the seventh assembly on June 17, 2019, the other 12 members-elect never presented themselves for inauguration.
The affected 12 members-elect are: Sunday Aghedo Ovia South-West, Chris Okaeben Oredo West, Crosby Eribo Egor, Aliyu Oshiomhole Etsako West 2, Oshomah Ahmed Etsako Central and Ganiyu Audu Etsako West 1.
Others include, Vincent Uwadiae Ovia North-East 2, Ugiagbe Dumez Ovia North-East 1, Washington Osifo Uhunmwode, Victor Edoror Esan Central, Kingsley Ugabi Etsako East, Michael Ohio-Ezomo Owan West.
Speaker Frank Okiye who declared the embattled lawmakers seats vacant said the move is “in accordance with section 109 subsection 1F of the constitution”.
Okiye explained that “the 12 members-elect defiantly refused to come forward to process the necessary documentation as part of the condition for their inauguration”.
According to him, “12 out of the 24 members-elect who completed their screening and documentation process were inaugurated on June 17, 2019 out of which two of them have refused to discharge their legislative duties.
“They have refused to represent their constituents in the House invariably denying their constituents effective representation .
“At this point, I am declaring the seats of the 12 members-elect vacant in accordance with section 109 subsection 1F of the constitution,” Okiye said.
Crisis broke out in the Assembly after the “midnight inauguration” of 12 out of 24 members-elect on June 21 during which Frank Okiye emerged speaker.
The other members-elect who are believed to be loyal ex-governor of the State, Comrade Adam Oshiomhole protested the development and have consequently to shunned the assembly activities over alleged security concerns.