Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie, the first female Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, stepped down on Monday and was replaced by Justin Okonoboh who was immediately sworn in.
Ativie is now the new Deputy Speaker of the house.
The change of guard followed a motion on a matter of urgent public importance moved by the Majority Leader of the House, Folly Ogedengbe.
Ogedengbe said the motion became imperative to create political balance in governance in the state, to reflect equitable representation of the three senatorial districts.
The majority leader, therefore, urged the house to suspend the house rules 1, 20, 22 and 73, to allow members effect the needed change in the leadership of the house.
Consequently, Okonoboh got the support of 19 of the 24 lawmakers through voice votes.
His emergence as speaker balances the political equation with Governor Adams Oshiomhole from Edo North, Deputy Governor Pius Odubu, Edo South, while APC governorship candidate, Godwin Obaseki, Edo South and his running mate, Philip Shaibu, from Edo North.
Okonoboh, in his acceptance speech, assured his colleagues to operate an all-inclusive administration and to retain all appointments made by the former Speaker.
Ativie, while stepping down, thanked her colleagues and staff of the parliament for the support accorded her in the 10 weeks of her reign.
She said the change in leadership was without any external influence, but a reflection of members’ loyalty to the party.
“Although this is a huge a difficult sacrifice to make, I believe that it should be done for the sake of the people of Edo State,” she said.
“No sacrifice will be too big to pay in meeting the yearning aspirations of or people, who elected us to this House.
“Today, I bury my pride and my ambition for the general good of the people and the state, through which I emerged as a legislator.”
The Edo Assembly on May 3, elected Ativie as speaker, following the impeachment of the former Speaker Victor Edoror.
