Contempt: Edo Speaker bows, swears in PDP legislator to represent Oshiomhole’s constituency

Embattled Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Edoror Tuesday swore-in Mr. Sylvanus Eruaga of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as member representing Etsako West ll State constituency.

With the inauguration, the PDP legislator will represent Governor Adams Oshiomhole at the Sixth Assembly.

The development is coming barely 24 hours after the Appeal Court sitting in Benin City ordered Edo state solicitor General, Mr. Oluwole Iyamu to produce Speaker Edoror and the assembly clerk on Thursday for disobeying its order to swear-in Eruaga.

Justice Olukayode Bada who handed out the order on Monday also said the duo are to show cause why they should not be committed to prison.

The State Election Petition Tribunal and the Appellate court last year invalidated the April 11, 2015 assembly election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Yakubu Gowon and ordered the immediate swearing-in of Eruaga- being the first runner up at the poll.

However, Eruaga’s inauguration had become a subject of controversy after Speaker Edoror refused to swear-in the lawmaker-elect

The speaker had attributed his action to a petition of fake certificate of return against the legislator-elect.

Apparently dissatisfied with the speaker’s posture, Eruaga, through his counsel, Barrister Dele Igbinedion returned to the Appellate court; during which he obtained form 48 and 49 against Edoror.

Edoror who presided over Eruaga’s swearing-in on Tuesday said it was “in line with the Appeal Court’s verdict last December and the issuance of certificate of return.”

According to him, we are saddled with the responsibility of making law. So, all we need is the rudiment to obey the law.