8th June, 2015
Jethro Ibileke/Benin
The inauguration of the 6th Assembly in Edo State on Monday was marred with harassment and intimidation of journalists by security operatives at the House of Assembly premises.
No fewer than six journalists, including reporters with The Guardian, Punch, Nation, Daily Independent, Nigerian Observer and Vanguard were harassed when they attempted to cover the inauguration of the Assembly.
The Guardian Reporter, Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu was detained in the security waiting room while policemen and men of Department of State Security (DSS) rained derogatory statements on him and the journalism profession.
Trouble started at entrance to the chamber when journalists were prevented from entering the venue even after identifying themselves as journalists with their Identity Cards for over one hour even as other persons including political aides and hangers on were allowed into the chamber.
Consequently, Aliu approached the two policemen at the gate and enquired to know the reason for discrimination against journalists.
One of the policemen who reacted violently, attempted to use his service boot on The Guardian reporter but missed his target and hit glass door and broke it in the process.
He however blamed the journalist for breaking the glass door and then detained him for about two hours in the security waiting room of the Assembly.
The journalists were eventually let into the House during the process of electing a new Speaker who is Victor Edoror from Esan Central Constituency while Bright Osayande representing Ovia North East Constituency II was elected deputy.
Secretary of the State chapter of the All Progressives Congres (APC), Osaro Idah, in letter transmitted to the House, appointed Folly Ogedengbe (Owan East) as Majority Leader, Elizabeth Ativie (Uhunmwonde) Deputy Majority Leader, Sunday Aghedo (Ovia North East I), Chief Whip and Kabiru Adjoto (Akoko-Edo I) Deputy Chief Whip.
Meanwhile, the disunity in the rank of the opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, reared its ugly head at the inaugural sitting of the Assembly over the appointment of the position of Minority Leader of the House.
Three different letters were presented by the PDP to pick three persons as Minority Leader. The three letters nominated different persons as Minority Leader.
One of the letters read by the new Speaker, accused the leadership of PDP of mismanaging campaign funds during the last general election and passed a vote of no confidence on the leadership, while another was written by the State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih.
The mild drama led to the stepping down of the election of the Minority leader by the Speaker, Edoror, who advised the PDP to put its house in order and send one name to the house.
Earlier in his acceptance speech, the newly elected Speaker, Edoror, promised to lead a united House that would work together with the Executive and Judiciary to support the developmental efforts of Governor Adams Oshiomhole.