R
Richard Ogunsile
Guest
The House of Representatives has turned down a request for immediate action on a matter of public importance that sought the Federal Government’s involvement in the ongoing dispute over the chieftaincy title of the Okpella community in the Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.
Naija News understands that the motion was moved by Dekeri Anamero, a lawmaker representing the Etsako East/Etsako West Federal Constituency in Edo State.
During Thursday’s plenary session, Anamero expressed his sorrow over the loss of lives in Okpella due to the violent response following the election of Lukman Akemokue as the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella by Governor Godwin Obaseki, just two weeks prior.
It is worth noting that the presentation of a staff of the office to Akemokue didn’t settle well with the people.
As a result, while supporters of Akemokue are celebrating, those opposed to his selection have voiced their opposition, leading to violence in the town last week.
Anamero called upon the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher Musa, to deploy his forces to Okpella to bring about peace. He accused Governor Godwin Obaseki of appointing Akemokue despite widespread public opposition to his appointment.
However, the situation worsened when the Edo lawmaker criticized Governor Godwin Obaseki’s actions, blaming them on a political party that suffered a significant defeat in the last gubernatorial election.
The motion was also rejected due to difficulties in finding a seconder, which led to a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), representing the Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency in Akwa Ibom State, Awaji-Inombek Abiante, to step down as the seconder.
As Speaker Abbas sought a seconder, Abiante interjected, saying, “Mr Speaker, you don’t have to preach to us to second the motion. If no one is seconding the motion, let the motion die.”
Turning to Anamero, the PDP lawmaker said, “You don’t have to insult senior citizens (apparent reference to Obaseki) of the country with your motion.”
After a voice vote was twice taken, Speaker Abbas ruled in favour of the nays.
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